Fundamentals of Durable Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

This book has been written at a time of change in European concrete practice, particularly in respect of specifying for durability. The introduction to European practice of non-harmonised standard EN 206–1 Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance, production and conformity represents a significant step in raising awareness of the need to consider each potential deterioration mechanism when specifying concrete from a durability perspective. Despite this significant step, those who contributed to the drafting of the standard would not see it as reaching the journey’s end in respect of the methodology for specifying durable concrete. It will in time be seen as a first generation European standard. The new standard will do much to enhance the durability of future European concrete infrastructure although it is but a first step in a new direction. The exciting demands of flagship infrastructure projects, which are literally spanning the divide between regions and countries, require further development of our detailed understanding of deterioration mechanisms in concrete and reinforced concrete. Equally, the requirement that our future structures should represent significant examples of sustainable development, demands that we get the balance right between optimum use of materials and the costly risk of failure during a defined service life. Thus mathematical models of degradation are required which can be used in the probabilistic analysis of durability and life cycle costing. The next generation of European concrete standards will hopefully embrace to a greater extent the art and science of a well-reasoned engineering solution for the design of durable concrete structures. Current and future directions in the specification of durable European concrete form the context of the book. The emphasis is therefore on design and specification issues to the general exclusion of site practice. It is not intended to convey an impression that the production of a durable concrete artefact can be achieved without due regard for the skills of those who toil in all weathers and in difficult working environments to construct the structures we can be proud of. The subject matter of the book is but one link in the quality chain. This book is therefore intended as a basic text for three groups of readers who will play a major role in designing the quality struct