STAINLESS STEEL IN CONCRETE FOR EFFICIENCY AND DURABILITY

Abstract

Achieving long term durability and sustainability in the built environment is one of the principal construction targets of governments around the world. A limiting factor to durability in reinforced concrete structures is corrosion of the steel reinforcement, and structures exposed to coastal environments and/or subject to the application of de-icing salts, are particularly susceptible to damaging chloride ions from these sources. The consequence of corrosion is more frequent repair or a reduction in the design life. Corrosion damage world-wide has been estimated in billions of US dollars. Stainless steel reinforcement can provide the durability commensurate with the design life of the structure. It has been approved for use in highway bridges by the UK Highways Agency, the Federal Highways Administration in the USA, Ministry of Transportation in Canada, and Scandinavian Road Authorities. New British and USA Standards for stainless steel rebar have been issued, and guidance on the application of stainless steel rebar was issued by the Highways Agency in their Design Manual for Roads and Bridges in 2002. This paper will discuss the new documentation outlined and illustrate that increased durability can be obtained using stainless steel reinforcement for only a small increase in capital cost. Whole life costs will be shown to offer significant cost savings. INTRODUCTION BS6744:2001 STAINLESS STEEL BARS FOR THE REINFORCEMENT OF AND USE IN CONCRETE [5] HIGHWAYS AGENCY GUIDELINES BA84/02 [6] INITIAL AND WHOLE LIFE COSTS CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES