Title: In-Service Structural Performance Of Concrete Structures

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/13/2011

Abstract:
Concrete structures often remain in-service well beyond their notional design lives and carry loads significantly higher than originally intended. This is particularly evident in Australia’s transport infrastructure. Bridges and wharf structures have been subjected to continual increases in both the magnitude and the number of loads that they must safely support and sometimes this leads to serviceability related cracking. Many of these structures are also at an age where concrete durability related defects are becoming evident, including corrosion of reinforcement and subsequent spalling due to chloride ingress or carbonation, and/or deterioration due to Alkalia Silica Reaction for example. The question often arises regarding the safety of these structures that often do not comply with current standards but seemingly perform satisfactorily. This paper presents an overview of the techniques utilised and lessons learnt during the non-destructive and destructive evaluation of concrete structures in Australia over recent years. The techniques will be illustrated from the many case studies. It will illustrate the variability in performance and differences in risk between structures.