Durability Design of Concrete Structures
working conditions, structural dimensions, etc. Examples of such ‘deem-to-satisfy’ rules are the requirements for minimum
concrete cover, maximum water/cement ratio, minimum cement content, crack limitation, air content, cement type and
coatings on concrete. These rules are sometimes related to the type of environmental exposure such as indoor climate, wet
exposure, presence of frost and deicing salts, sea water and so on. The purpose of all these rules has been to secure robustness
for structures, although no clear definition for service life has been presented.
Modern building codes will increasingly be based on the performance of buildings. It must be ensured that this
performance exists throughout the service life of the building. With deem-to-satisfy rules it is not possible to give an explicit
relationship between performance and service life. For concrete, but also for other building materials, these relationships are
not yet available as design tools. They have to be developed.
Especially in the 1990s, clients and owners of buildings have shown increasing interest in setting requirements for the
service life of structures. This has been a natural consequence of a greater awareness of quality and costs of buildings.
Understanding durability
performance exists throughout the service life of the building. With deem-to-satisfy rules it is not possible to give an explicit
relationship between performance and service life. For concrete, but also for other building materials, these relationships are
not yet available as design tools. They have to be developed.
Especially in the 1990s, clients and owners of buildings have shown increasing interest in setting requirements for the
service life of structures. This has been a natural consequence of a greater awareness of quality and costs of buildings.
Understanding durability
EmoticonEmoticon