Examples of feedback, experimental and theoretical approaches for concrete durability assessment

This paper presents some experimental data obtained from UHPFRC (Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete) being exposed for 10 years in a cooling tower and a high slag content concrete being exposed for 30 years in a marine environment. Experimental data are then used for assessing concrete durability through a theoretical approach, namely performance-based analysis. The results from the application of this approach are consistent with the penetration depth of aggressive agents measured from core samples. Finally a simulation method currently being developed by EDF is presented, which has great relevance to durability assessment.