Duracrete: service life design for concrete structures
conference paper
In the past decades much effort has been put into the improvement of the durability of concrete structures. This has resulted in a reasonable understanding of the main degradation processes or in experience with measures to prevent degradation. The results of this effort can be found in the present concrete codes and in manuals on durability design. The design rules are in general presented as deem-to-satisfy mies. If the mies are followed it may be assumed that the structure is durable. The present approach does not give direct insight in the service life, the necessary maintenance or the probability of premature failure. Further it is clear that lack of durability can have an influence on the structural behaviour. The direct relationship between durability and safety and serviceability of concrete structures has however not been made in the concrete codes. In the Brite-EuRam project `DuraCrete' the durability design has been developed into a service life design based on performances and on reliability for reinforced concrete structures. This offers the possibility to present the design on the same level as the structural design that has also been based on performances and reliability. The structural and service life design can even be integrated. The `DuraCrete' approach offers good opportunities for the service life design of other structural materials and building materials.
TNO Identifier
329407
ISBN
0-660-17741-2
Publisher
NRC Research Press
Article nr.
125
Source title
Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components. Vol.2: Durability of Building Assemblies and Methods of Service Life Prediction
Editor(s)
Lacasse, M.A.
Vanier, D.J.
Vanier, D.J.
Place of publication
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Pages
1343-1356
Files
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