Durability of Concrete and Cement Composites (Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering)

Concrete and other cement-based composites are by far the most widely used man-made construction materials in the world. However major problems of infrastructure deterioration have been caused by unanticipated premature degradation of these materials. Durability of Concrete and Cement Composites provides an up-to-date analysis of several of the main forms of degradation, examining what is known about their causes and control. The book begins with a review of the physical and chemical characteristics of cement-based materials then moves on to discuss specific forms of degradation. It also examines trends in modelling and prediction of service-lives. 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

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 Annotation Concrete and other cement-based composites are by far the most widely used man-made construction materials in the world. However major problems of infrastructure deterioration have been caused by unanticipated premature degradation of these materials. This book will provide an up-to-date review of several of the main forms of degradation, examining what is known about their causes and control. Trends in modelling and prediction of service-lives will also be examined. CONTENTS Physical and chemical characteristics of cement-based materials; Dimensional stability and cracking processes; Chemical degradation of concrete; Corrosion and protection of reinforcing steel; Techniques for remedial treatment of reinforcement corrosion; Degradation phenomena in prestressed concrete; Aggregate instability problems; Freeze-thaw and deicer-induced degradation; Degradation of fibre-reinforced cement composites; Degradation of polymer-cement composites and related material Concrete and other cement-based composites are by far the most widely used man-made construction materials in the world. However, major problems of infrastructure deterioration have been caused by unanticipated premature degradation of these materials. This book provides an up-to-date analysis of several of the main forms of degradation, examining what is known about their causes and control. Chaptersreviewthe physical and chemical characteristics of cement-based materials,discuss specific forms of degradation andexamine trends in modeling and prediction of service-lives.