CIA Z7-2001

The durability of any concrete structure is influenced by the quality of the concrete itself and of the work practices on the building site. Its treatment in service also has a significant impact but is outside the scope of this document beyond mention of the need to anticipate the in-service conditions at the design and construction stages. Since the processes of deterioration in concrete structures are well understood, the achievement of appropriate durability in a particular structure is in the hands of the designer, specifier and building contractor. This recommended practice will help practitioners reach this goal.

The aim of this Recommended Practice is to provide designers, specifiers and users of concrete with guidance on the provision of durable concrete structures by alerting them to potential problems that may occur at any phase from concept to completion.Section 2 provides a discussion of environmental factors and the service conditions that can influence concrete durability. In many instances these are outside the control of the designer and hence must be considered and accounted for at the design stage. The various deterioration processes in concrete and their governing factors are then discussed in Section 3. An understanding of these factors is a precondition for the ability to take the right decisions when seeking the required durability. Section 4 covers the properties and specification of the concrete itself, while Section 5 covers factors relating to design and detailing, and on-site practices appropriate for the construction of durable concrete structures.The good practice as detailed applies to both insitu and precast concrete, but for the latter there are requirements not covered in this document. These requirements are detailed in the Precast Concrete Handbook to be published jointly by the National Precast Concrete Association Australia and the Concrete Institute of Australia.

First published as CIA Z7-1990.
Second edition 2001.