Durability Of Concrete And Cement Composites

Whilst most structures made using concrete and cement-based composites have not shown signs of premature degradation, there have been notable exceptions. In addition, there is increasing pressure for new structures to remain in serviceable condition for long periods with only minimal maintenance before being recycled. All these factors have highlighted the issues of what affects the durability of these materials in different circumstances and how material properties can be measured and improved. Durability of concrete and cement composites summarises key research on these important topics. After an introductory chapter, the book reviews the pore structure and chemistry of cement-based materials, providing the foundation for understanding the particular aspects of degradation which are discussed in the following chapters. These include dimensional stability and cracking processes, chemical and microbiological degradation of concrete, corrosion of reinforcing and prestressing steels, deterioration associated with certain aggregates, effects of frost and problems involving fibre-reinforced and polymer-cement composites. With its distinguished international team of contributors, Durability of concrete and cement composites is a standard reference for all those concerned with improving the service life of structures using these materials. Analyses a range of materials such as reinforced steel in concrete, pre-stressed concrete and cement composites Discusses key degradation phenomena such as cracking processes and the impact of cold weather conditions A standard reference for those concerned with improving the service life of structures using concrete and cement based composites

Strain-Hardening Fibre-Reinforced Cement-Based Composites (SHCC) were named after their ability to resist increased tensile force after crack formation, over a significant tensile deformation range. The increased resistance is achieved through effective crack bridging by fibres, across multiple cracks of widths in the micro-range. Whether these small crack widths are maintained under sustained, cyclic or other load paths, and whether the crack width limitation translates into durability through retardation of ingress of moisture, gas and other deleterious matter, are scrutinized in this book by evaluation of test results from several laboratories internationally. The durability of SHCC under mechanical, chemical, thermal and combined actions is considered, both for the composite and the fibre types typically used in SHCC. The compilation of this state-of-the-art report has been an activity of the RILEM TC 208-HFC, Subcommittee 2: Durability, during the committee life 2005-2009.

This book considers the properties and behaviour of cement-based materials from the point of view of composite science and technology. It deals particularly with newer forms of cement-based materials and also with a composite approach to conventional materials and their special properties. Emphasis is put on non-conventional reinforcement and desig

Strain Hardening Cement Composites, SHCC hereafter, demonstrate excellent mechanical behavior showing tensile strain hardening and multiple fine cracks. This strain hardening behavior improves the durability of concrete structures employing SHCC and the multiple fine cracks enhance structural performance. Reliable tensile performance of SHCC enables us to design structures explicitly accounting for SHCC’s tensile properties. Reinforced SHCC elements (R/SHCC) indicate large energy absorbing performance under large seismic excitation. Against various types of loads, R/SHCC elements can be designed by superimposing re-bar performance and SHCC’s tensile performance. This report focuses on flexural design, shear design, FE modeling and anti-seismic design of R/SHCC elements as well as application examples. Establishing design methods for new materials usually leads to exploring application areas and this trend should be demonstrated by collecting actual application examples of SHCC in structures.

This book provides an up-to-date survey of durability issues, with a particular focus on specification and design, and how to achieve durability in actual concrete construction. It is aimed at the practising engineer, but is also a valuable resource for graduate-level programs in universities. Along with background to current philosophies it gathers together in one useful reference a summary of current knowledge on concrete durability, includes information on modern concrete materials, and shows how these materials can be combined to produce durable concrete. The approach is consistent with the increasing focus on sustainability that is being addressed by the concrete industry, with the current emphasis on ‘design for durability’.

Among all building materials, concrete is the most commonly used-and there is a staggering demand for it. However, as we strive to build taller structures with improved seismic resistance or durable pavement with an indefinite service life, we require materials with better performance than the conventional materials used today. Considering the enor

Advanced cementitious composites can be designed to have outstanding combinations of strength (five to ten times that of conventional concrete) and energy absorption capacity (up to 1000 times that of plain concrete). This second edition brings together in one volume the latest research developments in this rapidly expanding area. The book is split into two parts. The first part is concerned with the mechanics of fibre reinforced brittle matrices and the implications for cementitious systems. In the second part the authors describe the various types of fibre-cement composites, discussing production processes, mechanical and physical properties, durability and applications. Two new chapters have been added, covering fibre specification and structural applications. Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites will be of great interest to practitioners involved in modern concrete technology and will also be of use to academics, researchers and graduate students.