ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Current standards deal with the durability of new concrete structures descriptively by specifying that such structures satisfy certain minimum requirements for concrete composition and cover that are based on experience. Performance-based assessment in accordance with the performance concept, as in structural design, does not exist. The reliability-based approach of DIN EN 1990 (2010) is not complied with. Applying the existing full-probabilistic concepts is time-consuming and requires specialist know-how and special numerical software. This paper introduces a semi-probabilistic concept that permit the durability design of new structural members in terms of the chloride-induced corrosion of the reinforcement. Design nomograms have been established to provide designers with an easy-to-use tool with which the durability of reinforced concrete structures can be addressed in a transparent manner.
