Z7-07 Performance Tests to Assess Concrete Durability

All engineering materials, including concrete, deteriorate (corrode) with time, at rates dependent upon the type of material (concrete), the nature of the environment and the deterioration mechanisms involved. In engineering terms, the objective is to select the most cost effective combination of materials (concretes, reinforcements, coatings, etc) to achieve the required design life. In doing so, it is critical to realise that the nature and rate of deterioration of materials is a function of their environment.

Accordingly, the environment is a “load” on a material (concrete) as a force is a “load” on a structural component. It is the combination of the structural (or non-structural) load and environment load in synergy which determines the performance of the concrete component.

The protective measures to be adopted for (concrete) structures/elements within a project depend on the risk of deterioration over the design life, the cost of preventative measures, the feasibility and cost of remedial actions and ongoing preventative maintenance. It is typical that these need to be balanced to arrive at the best whole-of-life cost and optimised value for money.

The Concrete Institute of Australia Durability Series provides the tools for managing durability through design, construction and maintenance. Z7-07 provides guidance on performance tests for durability design and implementation.