Advanced Concrete Durability (Assignment-02)

ㆍ주 제 (Topics): how to improve concrete durability?
ㆍ과 목 명 (Title): Advanced Concrete Durability_01

ㆍ학 과 (Department): Civil Engineering
ㆍ학 번 (Student Number): 1910135
ㆍ이 름 (Name): Md Ikram Uddin
ㆍ제 출 일 (Submitted Date): 05 April 2020
ㆍ담당교수 (Professor): Lee, Seung tae
Assignment-2: Investigate and explain how to improve durability of Concrete
Concrete is highly durable, by stopping the premature deterioration of concrete structures the durability can
be increased. The structure like Pantheon and Colosseum in Rome survived for more than 2000 years, so
from historical structures shows that that concrete structures are meant to last a lifetime. However, usually
concrete structures have a design life of 50 or 100 years.
There are several ways to improve concrete durability, some are discussed below:
 Mix Design
Durability starts with a concrete mix design suitable for the service conditions that the concrete will
be exposed to. The amount of water specified may be the single most important component of the
mix design. A low water-cement ratio between 0.40 and 0.50 is normally recommended for concrete
frequently subjected to severe exposure. Do not add extra water on site. Additional water will lower
strength and increase permeability and the likelihood of scaling.
Other important components of the mix design are the aggregates. Contaminated aggregates can
cause pop-outs or alkali silica reactivity (ASR), and off-spec cement can cause finishing problems
with inconsistent setting times.
 Construction Joints
Construction joints are a common weak point in the structure where water will often find its way in
and through it. Corrosion of the reinforcing steel from water penetrating through the joints can
cause damage to structure. Planning for and using control joint locations can help avoid random
cracking. Just make sure that each joint employs a reliable waterproofing system of its own. The
best long-term protection at joint locations is due to a joint waterproofing system that includes
crystalline technology, which self-seals random cracking and thus provides added reliability and
protection.
 Prevent Premature Moisture Loss During Placing
Keeping the concrete moist and at an adequate temperature helps to provide proper hydration of
the cement for maximum strength, increased density, lower permeability, and greater resistance to
scaling. Pay special attention to placing and finishing. Often excessive or premature finishing can
lead to blistering and reduce surface air content and durability. Adding water to concrete during
toweling, increases the probability of surface scaling and spalling. The increase in the water-cement
ratio at the surface weakens the concrete at the near-surface wear zone. It is better to use an
evaporation retardant in rapid moisture loss conditions to prevent surface crusting, plastic shrinkage
or cracking.
 Low Permeability
One may have to adjust the mix designs to match the conditions, but there is one factor that is
common to all good concrete and that is low permeability. For lower permeability good mix
proportioning by reducing the amount of free water in
mix and using water reducing admixtures or plasticizers is essential. A waterproofing admixture
should be used to protect concrete from water intrusion.
 Proper Curing
Curing means maintaining conditions that will allow the concrete to harden and gain strength
optimally and this step is central to extending the life of concrete. Proper temperature and humidity
are most important. The temperature should be above 10°C for strength development to proceed at
a reasonable pace. It is critical to maintain proper moisture levels the first few days for cement
hydration and also to keep the concrete from drying, shrinking and cracking.
 Protect Concrete From De-icing Salts After Curing
Frequent wetting and drying during the early age of concrete will cause crazing, scaling, lower
concrete strength, and increase the possibility of scaling. It is essential that concrete be protected
from freezing temperatures during the first days of hydration; when its low strength and high
moisture content make it most susceptible to freeze/thaw damage. Where the presence of deicer
agents cannot be eliminated, treat the surface, with something like Aquapel, to prevent the
migration of nearly 90 percent of deicer salts and effectively repel a high percentage of the moisture
that will cause deterioration.
 Concrete Placement
Concrete must be placed properly and consolidated into a solid mass that is free from any voids or
rock pockets. Avoid voids below or behind reinforcing steel bars and vibrate all concrete with
special attention around congested reinforcement. There should be no standing water prior to
concrete placement.
One can create durable concrete structures that will guard against corrosive conditions and other
deteriorating mechanisms by ensuring the right mix design, reducing permeability, and paying attention to
good jointing, placing and curing practices.

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ㆍ주 제 (Topics): how to improve concrete durability?

ㆍ과 목 명 (Title): Advanced Concrete Durability_01

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