Book dossier

Durability of Concrete Structures

by G. C. Mays

In the rapid expansion of the construction industry during the 1960s basic advice regarding cover to reinforcement and impermeability of concrete to moisture for subsequent durability often went unheeded. Today the UK is seeing the result - a 500 million per annum programme of concrete repair - and similar effects are being observed worldwide. The book draws together experts from the fields of concrete durability, repair and protection to provide a state-of-the-art review on current thinking, materials and techniques. The basic deterioration mechanisms and methods for the site investigation of distressed concrete structures are initially considered. Materials and techniques for repair are critically reviewed and relatively novel ideas for protection are discussed. The second part of the book is presented as a series of case studies for various structure types. They are written by those who have immediate experience of both the technical and financial difficulties of concrete repair and maintenance programmes.