Reinforced concrete durability and corresponding test methods

Title: Reinforced concrete durability and corresponding test methods
Author(s): Z. Li, Y. Xi
Paper category : conference
Book title: International Conference on Advances in Concrete and Structures
Editor(s): Ying-shu Yuan, Surendra P. Shah and Heng-lin Lü
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-41-1
e-ISBN: 2351580176
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2003
Pages: 338 - 353
Total Pages: 16
Nb references: 6
Language: English

Abstract: 
Concrete is the most versatile and the most widely produced materials in the world. Its worldwide annual production exceeds 5 billion metric tons, i.e. more than one metric ton of concrete produced each year for every person on the earth. It has been predicted that concrete will continue to be the most popular industrial material in the 21st century. Except for strength, durability is another measure of concrete property. Durability of concrete can be defined as its ability to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion, or any other process of deterioration to remain its original shape, dimension, quality and serviceability. Durability plays an important role in determining the long term performance of reinforced concrete structures, especially for those exposed to aggressive environments. Although it is rare for concrete structures to fail due to lack of intrinsic strength, gradual deterioration which is caused by lack of durability makes concrete structures fail to survive their specified service lives in ever increasing numbers. The extent of the problem is such that concrete durability has been recently described as a "multimillion dollar opportunity". Due to the neglect in concrete durability research, the understanding of the mechanism of deterioration caused by poor durability is limited. There are even no effective methods for detecting deterioration. Thus, it is difficult to make a right decision for maintenance and repairing. The lack of appropriate materials and methods for repairing creates potential problems for the future. It is clear that research on concrete durability is an urgent issue for Civil Engineering and construction industry, both academically and practically.This paper will focus on the discussions of causes of deterioration of reinforced concrete structure, major concrete durability problems and their corresponding evaluation methods. The recently developed techniques in durability research will also be introduced.

Online publication: 2003-08-10
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00