ABSTRACT
There are many factors that directly or indirectly affect the structure failure. Several researchers have tried quantifying the environmentally induced changes by measuring the physical properties of concrete specimens after subjecting them to various combinations of load and exposure. Most project management professional who work well in this area considered that the failures are totally the responsibility of the technical people only. Designers of a new project involving concrete structures address service life by defining several critical concrete parameters, such as admixtures, reinforcement protection, and curing methods. Quantifying the influence of environmental effects on the ability of the structure to resist the applied loads and to determine the rate of degradation as a result is a complex issue. The key factors in predicting service life and in maintaining the capability of reinforced concrete structures to meet their operational requirements include the detection and assessment of the magnitude and rate of occurrence of environmental factor-related degradation.
