DURABILITY OF

CONCRETE
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
STRENGTH-DURABILITY RELATIONSHIP
VOLUME CHANGE
DURABILITY
IMPACT OF W/C RATIO
PERMEABILITY
INTERACTION BETWEEN PERMEABILITY , VOLUME CHANGE, W/C
RATIO
VARIOUS TYPES OF CRACKS IN CONCRETE
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION
Concrete - most widely used
construction material.
Life span of structures 100 years
Emphasis only on Compressive
strength
Degree of harshness of environment
So it is necessary that the concrete used is durable.

Strength-Durability
Relationship
Rapid Construction
High Early Strength Concrete
High Cement Content
High Thermal Shrinkage, Drying Shrinkage
High Elastic Modulus and low creep coefficient

Low w/c ratio

Only surface hydration
NO weak transition zone

Volume Change
Hydration of cement
Sulphate action
Carbonation
Effect of Chlorides
Rusting of Steel Reinforcement
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Durability
Definition

As per IS 456-2000
As per American Concrete Institute.
When exposed to environment, durable concrete

is

likely to retain its original form,

quality and serviceability during its lifetime.

As Low permeability as possible under situation.

(IS-SP-23)
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Significance of Durability
Concrete liable to be easily affected by
deterrents
Corrosion of rebars
Loss of serviceability
Expensive repair costs
Poor perception of concrete as a material
Poor perception of agencies involved
Reduction of service life
Alkali- aggregate reaction.
Ingression of moisture/air facilitating corrosion
of steel and cracking concrete cover.
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Consequences of
Inadequate
Durability

Consequences of
Inadequate
Durability

Impact of W/C ratio on

Durability
Higher w/c ratio permeability
volume change cracks
disintegration of concrete failure of
concrete.
Lowest possible w/c ratio.
Permeability is low
Chloride ions diffuse 10-50 times slower
Less sensitive to carbonation , external
chemical attack.
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Permeability
Permeability
of Cement
paste
Cement paste C-S-H gel, Ca(OH)2,
Water filled or empty cavities
Gel pores small no permeability
Size of capillary pores w/c ratio
Cement paste high w/c ratio
impervious as of granite.
Permeability due to other reasons.
Microcracks Long term Drying
shrinkage
Higher structural stresses
Insufficient Compaction

Permeabilit
y of
Concrete

Introduction of aggregates
Low permeability
Development of microcracks in
transition zone
Size of cracks larger than
capillary cavities
Puzzolanic materials reduce
permeability
High pressured steam curing in
conjunction with crushed silica
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Permeability Vs W/C Graph

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Interaction between
Permeability , Volume
change and cracking

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Types and causes of

Concrete Cracks

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Types and Causes of Cracks in Concrete

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Cracks in Concrete

Plastic shrinkage cracks

Settlement cracks
Bleeding
Delayed Curing
Constructional effects
Early frost damage
Unsound materials etc.,
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Plastic Shrinkage Cracks

Concrete surface loses water faster
than bleeding action.
Quick drying of concrete at surface
results in shrinkage.
Depth and Width of Cracks
Preventive Measures

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Settlement Cracks

Vibration
Non-Uniform Settlement
Deep beams
Grouting
Revibration
Effects Structural Integrity

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Bleeding

Upward movement of water

Internal bleeding
External bleeding

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Delayed Curing
Interrupted Hydration
Modern high grade cements High
C3S content
Major cause for Shrinkage

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Constructional effects
Formwork
Excess Vibration Seggregation
Segregated Concrete mix High
Shrinkage cracks.

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