HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE COVER - WHY IT IS NEEDED, AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT IN PRACTICE

Abstract Service life design is a practical way of ensuring durable concrete structures. All important deterioration depends on aggressive substances, including water, penetrating through the surface and accumulating in the outer concrete layer and penetrating further into the bulk of the concrete. The quality of the ‘covercrete’ and thickness of cover become decisive for the durability of the whole structure. In all its simplicity this represents the main message from modern durability technology. The 100 year design service life of the US$4 billion Great Belt Link in Denmark exemplifies such a design.