Changing perceptions: Durability of concrete structures

Abstract

Studies by PWD show a significantly high percentage of concrete structures are in distress prematurely. Coupled with additional number of new public assets created yearly, the high increase in the amount of public funding required to ensure these assets are in good condition has generated demands from the policy makers for new, innovative and more cost effective solutions to be adopted. In Eurocode 2, performance-based concepts are implemented whereby concrete structures are designed to meet “design working life” (or “service-life” or “repair-free period”) expectancy of 50 and 100 years, rather than the usual design life. Thus, concrete structure designed to Eurocode 2 requires more stringent compliance to the specified cover thickness and quality at site. Compliance to the present MS EN 1992 in itself does not guarantee compliance to 50 or 100 years design working life. The cover requirements in MS EN 1992 are essentially a full adoption of BS EN 1992. This paper discusses the implication of structural design to MS EN 1992 to meet design working life expectancy of the Code. It highlights some priorities that the industry should undertake as a way forward.