Concrete Durability

This book examines each of the major physical and chemical mechanisms which threaten the durability of concrete and addresses the options available for achieving appropriate durability, with emphasis on the approaches addressed by standards. It also covers procedures for durability assessment and testing of structures, and repair and rehabilitation methods. The book is a key text for graduate students and young professionals.

Written specifically for the young professional and addressing a growing need for a long service life with minimal maintenance, Concrete Durability takes a whole new look at the whole-life performance of structures. This text examines physical and chemical issues that can threaten the durability of concrete.

It explores available options for achieving appropriate durability, examining how durable concrete can be specified and designed, with emphasis placed on the European standards. The author brings together methods and procedures needed for durability assessment and testing, as well as repair and rehabilitation. The book introduces an approach that identifies what causes deterioration, what factors influence deterioration, and what is required to minimize the rate of deterioration.

The author also:

• Considers the aspects of the construction process, which can influence durability
• Factors in technologies that can be employed at the start of a structure’s service life to enhance resistance to deterioration
• Explores the issue of service life and serviceability
• Observes how durability problems in a structure can be identified
• Suggests how future deterioration might be predicted and how deteriorated concrete can be repaired

This text promotes an understanding of how concrete elements in structures deteriorate. It also determines what must be done to protect structures from rapid deterioration and how existing durability problems can be identified and resolved.