CE40008-50017 1

Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

Topic 1:
Introduction to Durability
CE40008-50017 2
Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 1: Concrete Requirements

TWO STAGE REQUIREMENTS

• FRESH STATE

• HARDENED STATE
CE40008-50017 3
Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 1: Concrete Requirements

FRESH STATE REQUIREMENTS

Fresh concrete must have the ability to be:

• Formed into the required shape.

• Transported over distance and placed into the form

without undergoing segregation of the constituent
materials.
• Compacted to remove all entrapped air.

• Finished to achieve the required surface

appearance.
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 1: Concrete Requirements

HARDENED STATE REQUIREMENTS

• Achieve the strength required for structural purposes.

• Have adequate durability to withstand the effects of its

service conditions.

• Have the desired surface appearance.

Fresh concrete properties will heavily influence hardened

properties of concrete.

Good knowledge of mix design will enable

design for fresh and hardened requirements.
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 1: Concrete Requirements

CONCRETE BASICS
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

CONCRETE BASICS

Function of Cement Paste

• To fill voids between aggregate particles

providing
lubrication of the fresh (plastic) concrete and
water tightness in the hardened concrete
• To give strength to hardened concrete
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

CONCRETE BASICS
Function of Aggregate

• To provide a relatively low cost filler for the

cementing material.
• To provide a mass of particles which are suitable
for resisting the action of applied loads, abrasion,
the percolation of moisture and the action of weather.
• To reduce the volume changes resulting
from the setting and hardening process and
from moisture changes in the cement paste.
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

ROLE OF WATER/CEMENT RATIO

Improved performance:
• Use of pozzolanic materials
• Use of admixtures
• Increase in temperature
• Increase moist curing
PERFORMANCE

• Optimise particle sizes

WATER/CEMENT RATIO
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

NAME SOURCES OF WEAKNESS

• Pores: <2mm (capillary)

- Excess water
- Cement hydration system

• Interfaces >1mm
- Paste/Aggregate
- Paste/Reinforcement

• Structural defects
- Cracks >0.1mm
- Incomplete compaction >2mm
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY

Durability is defined by the required level of performance and
in particular the minimum acceptable level of performance

Performance
Repair
Initial
Level

How is
Performance
defined?
Minimum Acceptable
Level of Performance

Service Life Time

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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability

HOW DOES WATER, GASSES AND

VAPOUR PENETRATE CONCRETE?

In nearly all chemical and physical processes influencing durability

of concrete structures, two factors are dominant:

1. Transport within the pore structure and cracks

2. Movement of water (often containing dissolved salts or gasses)
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 3: Transportation Mechanisms

PERMEABILITY

P1
Fluid movement

The flow property of concrete which

quantitatively characterises the ease
Concrete by which a fluid will pass through it,
under a pressure differential

P2

Typically affects:

Dams, tunnel linings, liquid retaining structures,

submerged offshore structures
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 3: Transportation Mechanisms

ABSORPTION

Concrete
The process by which concrete takes in
liquid, normally water or aqueous
solution by capillary action.

Sorptivity is the rate at which water

Water reservoir enters the concrete

Typically affects:

Structures subjected to cyclic wetting and drying

eg marine structures in the tidal zone
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Topic 1: Introduction to Durability
Subject 3: Transportation Mechanisms

DIFFUSION

Cl- Cl-
Cl- Cl Cl- The process by which a vapour, gas
-

Cl- Cl- or ion can pass through concrete

Cl- Cl- under the action of a concentration
Cl-
Cl- Cl- gradient.

C1 C2

Typically affects:

Foundation elements
Highway structures
Marine structures