DURABILITY
Design, detailing, specification, execution and maintenance all influence the durability of a structure, regardless of the materials used in its construction. The Irish Concrete Society publication 'The New Concrete Standards' an introduction to IS EN 206-1 explains how to select the appropriate concrete quality in relation to the cover to reinforcement to provide a structure that is required to be durable in relation to the identified exposure classes for the intended working life. To achieve a durable structure, other aspects of the process of design, specification and construction are equally important and should not be overlooked: in particular, achieving the minimum cover, attention to detailing and care during the execution of the works.
Structures will be durable for their intended (working) life, if made from properly compacted concrete which is in compliance with the compressive strength and other specified requirements, and in which the achieved cover to reinforcement meets the minimum levels specified.
Concrete structures are robust. However, this robustness, even with increased concrete quality and cover to reinforcement, will not compensate for gross errors in design or construction.
Durability, Find out more
- For 'The New Concrete Standards' - an introduction to IS EN 206-1 Click here.
