DURABILITY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

In part 1 of this article the author shows that, although many concrete structures have shown excellent durability for over 50 years, there is now a world wide problem of deterioration caused primarily by reinforcement corrosion. Expensive diagnostic survey and repair programmes are now common. The main causes of this international, multi-million pound problem are identified as a lack of understanding of the corrosion mechanisms by the engineer and poor support from research establishments to assess the problem and produce solutions. This has resulted in inadequate code recommendations for durability for structures particularly in high risk climatic zones. The importance of recognising the critical role played by the environment, at both macro and micro level, is demonstrated through a review of the extent of the corrosion problem, its mechanisms and penetration theory. The model to predict the time for deterioration to occur is presented not only to determine the remanent life of existing structures and of repair options, but also to predict the durability design life for new structures. In the severest climates, the paper demonstrates that existing code specifications are not sufficiently stringent to achieve a realistic design life, and proposes increasing the levels of severity in relation to macro and micro climates, as well as adopting additional extra protection at the construction stage to enhance life expectancy, particularly where quality of construction is limited.(A) Part 2 of this article was published in the October 1989 issue of New Zealand Concrete Construction (see IRRD 826649).

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/05490219
• Corporate Authors:

  New Zealand Concrete Research Association

  Private Bag
  Porirua,   New Zealand 
• Authors:
  • Browne, R
• Publication Date: 1989-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 2-10
• Serial:
  • NEW ZEALAND CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
  • Volume: 33
  • Publisher: CEMENT & CONCRETE ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND
  • ISSN: 0549-0219

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcium chloride; Carbonation; Chlorides; Climate; Corrosion; Deicing chemicals; Design; Deterioration; Durability; Prevention; Reinforced concrete; Seas; Standards; Water
• ITRD Terms: 4736: Admixture; 8006: Australia; 3455: Bridge; 7315: Calcium chloride; 7312: Carbonate; 3612: Coating; 9006: Continuous; 5252: Corrosion; 4702: Curing (concrete); 1614: Damage; 8614: Database; 2598: Deicing; 9011: Design (overall design); 5255: Deterioration; 5910: Durability; 6951: Electrode; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 7314: Halide; 9045: Micro; 8079: New Zealand; 6285: Penetration; 9149: Prevention; 4794: Reinforced concrete; 3635: Repair; 9069: Residual; 6253: Sampling; 4368: Sea; 187: Specification (standard); 5544: Strength (mater); 9101: Surveillance; 6255: Test; 8119: United Kingdom; 4355: Water; 2545: Weather
• Subject Areas: Design; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00498498
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM