Title:
Closing the Loop
Author(s):
Peter Emmons, David Whitmore, and Lesley Ko
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
48
Issue:
10
Appears on pages(s):
39-42
Keywords:
concrete durability; service life; sustainability; resilience; P+Ex; ACI 562; Vision 2020; coastal structures; parking structures; repair costs; feedback loop
DOI:
10.14359/51752074
Date:
10/1/2026
Abstract:
P+Ex: Center of Excellence for Concrete Preservation and Service Life Extension was created to advance adequate initial service life for new concrete and meaningful additional service life for repaired structures. A core advocacy objective of P+Ex is the systematic extraction of lessons learned from repair and rehabilitation projects and the creation of a clear feedback loop that can improve the design of new structures, codes, specifications, and construction practice. This article connects in-service durability performance to resilience and sustainability, quantifies the escalating cost of deferred action, introduces the P+Ex mission and objectives, illustrates the lessons-learned feedback model that can improve the next generation of concrete structures, and calls on industry experts to play key roles in extending the service life of concrete structures.
Related References:
1. P+Ex, “P+Ex Strategic Plan Progress Update,” presented at ICRI Fall Convention, Oct. 2025, www.pexcoe.org/resources. (last accessed Sept. 10, 2026)
2. de Sitter, W R., “Costs of Service Life Optimization—The Law of Fives,” Proceedings of the CEB-RILEM Workshop on Durability of Concrete Structures, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1984, pp. 131-134.
3. CSA S413:21, “Canadian Standard for Parking Structures,” CSA Group, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2021, 143 pp.
4. P+Ex, “About P+Ex,” 2026, www.pexcoe.org/about-pex. (last accessed Aug. 31, 2026)
5. P+Ex, “Strategic Plan,” www.pexcoe.org/strategic-plan. (last accessed Aug. 31, 2026)
6. Strategic Development Council, “Vision 2020: A Vision for the Concrete Repair, Protection and Strengthening Industry,” Version 1.0, ACI Foundation, Farmington Hills, MI, June 2006.
7. ACI Committee 562, “Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures—Code Requirements and Commentary (ACI CODE-562-25),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2025, 134 pp.