Durability Archives

Concrete in Cold Weather: Why It Needs Special Attention

Concrete is one of the strongest, most trusted building materials in the world. But when it comes to concrete in cold weather, things get complicated fast. Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside concrete.

SEM for Concrete Durability: What You Can Actually See Inside the Mix

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability, Tests

SEM for Concrete Durability: If you’ve ever stared at cracked concrete and thought, “That shouldn’t be happening,” you’re not alone. Whether it’s a slab, a column, or a wall — concrete fails. And sometimes, the

RCPT Concrete Test: What ASTM C1202 Really Tells You About Durability

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability, Tests

Understanding ASTM C1202: the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT)

Ever looked at a bridge or parking garage and thought, “This thing’s gonna last forever”? Well, probably not. But someone did: the engineer. Thing is, concrete isn’t immortal. If water or salt gets in, especially

What is Physical Salt Attack on Concrete?

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability

The topic of physical salt attack (abbreviated as PSA) on concrete is relatively new. ACI 201 “Guide to Durable Concrete” started to mention physical salt attack in their 2016 version. PSA was a subject of

Cathodic Protection of Steel in Concrete: Safeguarding Structures from Corrosion

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability

Cathodic protection is the most expensive method of protection. Engineers usually use it in protecting pipelines in the petroleum industry. Also, it is suitable for use in reinforced concrete structures and also for special structures

Cathodic Protection of Steel in Concrete by Surface Painting

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability

Cathodic Protection for steel inside concrete: The corrosion of steel in concrete occurs as a result of chloride attacks or carbonation of a concrete surface and incursion into the concrete until it reaches steel, which

The Incipient Anode Effect

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability

The Incipient Anode Effect When an area of steel is corroding under the influence of chloride contamination, steel is dissolving causing the formation of iron ‘ions’, tiny charged particles of iron. Simultaneously, electrons are released

Selection of Antifreeze Admixtures

TeamCivil Concrete, Durability

An antifreeze admixture is selected according to the design temperature at which concrete is supposed to harden. If the temperature rises above the design value or even becomes positive as the concrete is cured, its