ABSTRACT
The durability of concretes in general, including self-compacting concretes, is primarily dependent on two basic transport characteristics, permeability and diffusion. The basic interactions of strength and porosity, which directly influence permeability and diffusion, characteristics are discussed broadly along with the test methods for assessing these parameters. The second aspect of durability is the degradation due to chemical attack, which is a significantly long-term effect. Some simple assessment methodologies to understand the degeneration possible due to chemical attacks have been discussed. In addition to these two parameters, structural concrete containing reinforcement is affected by the corrosion of steel in concrete, which is protected by the alkaline environment in concrete. A change in such alkaline environment due to carbonation or the loss of protection through chloride ingress is discussed in detail, and parameters as well as tests that would reflect the capability of concrete composites to protect steel against corrosion are presented. Based on an understanding of these parameters that influence the durability of concrete, particularly the more important corrosion of the concrete, service-life estimation methodology through chloride diffusion parameters is discussed in detail. The possibility of extending such a philosophy to understand the effects on the nation is also discussed. This chapter also contains a brief introduction to thermal effects on concrete composites.
