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Durability of Concrete Structures
Durability of Concrete Structures
CHAPTER - 5
5.3.2 The graph shown in fig. 5.2 can be used to select the cover and grade
to meet the required design life.
Example : For 100 years life, if the mix is M-35 or above the minimum cover
requirement is 20 mm. i.e. if the mix is M-15 the cover requirement shall be
between 40 and 60 (say 50 mm).
5.3.3 From the graph in fig. 5.2 it may be concluded that it is always better
to go for richer mixes from durability angle even if it is not required from
strength criteria. In the interior of the buildings the rate of carbonation can be
high and must be considered while designing. Carbonation effect can be
taken care by ensuring adequate cover of good quality concrete. This is
necessary for all the sites in India. It also presupposes that the integrity of
cover concrete (Concrete in cover portion) i.e. both quality and extent, is
assured. Thick cover is of no avail if the concrete is highly penetrable.
5.4 Design for chlorides induced corrosion: For the marine structures,
including buildings within 1 km of coast line, and for bridges exposed to deicing salt, the penetration of chloride is calculated from the following equation:
i)
129 x ( cover-1.22 )
= -----------------------w/c x Cl-0.42
Example : For 100 yrs. design life and 60 mm cover, the minimum conc mix
shall be M-50 or richer.
5.5 Design for sulphate exposure : This is dealt in detail under suitability
of various types of cement in para 6.6 (iv) of chapter 6.
5.6 Design for durability : As durability depends upon permeability. It is
important to control parameters affecting permeability. Therefore, it is
necessary to lay down permissible limits for parameters like minimum
cementitious material content, maximum water cement ratio, maximum crack
width and extent of cover to reinforcement etc. depending upon the exposure
condition. Following values for these parameter are recommended.
PCC
Min.
cementitious*
material
content
Kg/m
Mild
Mod
Severe
Very severe
Extreme
M-20
M-25
M-25
M-30
M-30
300
350
380
400
400
Max
w/c
ratio
RCC
Min.
grade
of mix
Min.
cementitious*
material
content
Kg/m
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.45
0.40
M-25
M-30
M-35
M-40
M-45
380
400
400
430
430
Max
w/c
ratio
PSC
Min.
grade
of mix
Min.
Cementitious*
material
content
Kg/m
0.45
0.40
0.40
0.38
0.35
M-35**
M-35**
M-45
M-50
M-50
Max
w/c
ratio
400
400
430
440
440
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.35
0.35
ii) Minimum clear cover : Recommended values are given in table-5.2. The
clear cover shall mean cover from the outer most metal /steel, binding wire or
its end.
Table 5.2
Minimum clear cover*
Sr.
No.
Structures
RCC/PSC
1
2
3
4
Slabs
Beams
Columns
Wells, piles
and footings
PSC girders
PSC girder
for
HTS
cables
5
6
Extreme
environment
Very
severe Severe
environment
environment
50
60
75
75
50
50
75
75
25
40
50
75
Mild and
Moderate
environment
25
35
50
50
50
75
50
75
50
75
50
50
*
While designing, it should be ensured that cover does not exceed 2.5
times dia of reinforcing bar. If cover is more, chicken mesh may be provided in
cover concrete to keep the concrete in position.
iii)
Flexural Crack Width : It is necessary to control the crack width to
protect steel rebar against corrosion. The crack width is controlled by reducing
shrinkage, and distributing the reinforcement over the zone of maximum
concrete tension, uniformly, and using smaller dia bars. Cement with low heat
of hydration and not too fine should be used.
Recommended value of
maximum crack width to be considered during design are given in table-5.3.
Design of crack width may be calculated as described in Appendix- I to this
chapter.
Table 5.3
Maximum crack width to be considered during design
Type of structure
Bridges
RCC beams, slabs
Aggressive environment
(Severe, Very severe and
Extreme)
Exposed
0.10mm
0.20mm
Unexposed
0.20mm
0.20mm
Non- aggressive
environment
(Mild and Moderate)
0.20mm
0.30mm
3 days
10 days
14 days
5.13 Recommendation:
i Life of a structure may be different under different environmental region.
Hence structure have to be designed for a particular design life. The
structures may be designed for the service life as given in table 5.4.
Table 5.4
Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Type of structure
Bridges in sea
Bridges within 1 km of coast line
Bridges in rest of India
Buildings in coastal areas
Buildings in rest of India
F.O.B.Slabs
ii Each structure should be designed for durability and the design life should
be printed on each drawing, design sheet & method statements.
iii The soil where piles, footings etc. rest, and water in case of marine
structures, should be tested and used in design and selection of type of
cementitious material.
iv The form and false work should be designed in advance, drawings
prepared and paid for separately as an item.
v
3a cr m
a cmin
1 + 2 cr
h x
12
. bt h a ' x
m = 1
10 3 where f y is in N / mm2
A (h x ) f
y
s
and
12
. bt h a ' x
m = 1
10 2 where f y is in kg / cm2
A (h x ) f
y
s
Where
a' x f s
=
1 dx E
s
d
fs
Es
1
bt
a
As
fY