Design and assessment of concrete surface protection systems

Properly designed reinforced concrete structures can be very durable in most environments. However, in some cases, surface protection of concrete must be executed to achieve the required service life of a new structure (preventive measure), or to extend the service life of a repaired concrete structure. Surface protections are products and systems that contribute to the durability of concrete and reinforced concrete structures. Rapid degradation and reduction of service life generally occurs on reinforced concrete structures in a maritime environment, although they are designed according to the regulations in force at present and to the European standards 206-1 and 1992-1-1.The most common cause of degradation of reinforced concrete structures is corrosion of the reinforcement. In maritime environments chlorides are always a relevant environmental action. Durability of reinforced concrete structures is therefore determined by the ability of aggressive agents from the surrounding environment to penetrate i...