xvii
Preface
The human perception of concrete is not always founded on clear and accurate arguments. On the one hand, concrete structures tend to be perceived
as gray and dull with a high carbon footprint. This perception is mainly
based on historical reasons, and does not duly consider recent evolutions in
concrete technology, which enable the completion of attractive and nicely
shaped, durable, and sustainable concrete structures. On the other hand,
concrete is perceived as being a strong, solid, and protective material. When
something is ‘cast in concrete,’ it will be there forever. However, although
we surely can make durable and long-lasting concrete structures, they are
not built for eternity. Things can go wrong at different stages of the construction process or during service.
This book explains how damage can occur to concrete structures. The
contents of the different chapters are structured along the timing of the
actions leading to damage. Damage can occur due to inappropriate design,
errors during execution, some mechanisms occurring during hardening
of the concrete, or actions or degradation mechanisms during service life
(hardened concrete). The different actions or mechanisms are explained
in a fundamental way without too many physical or chemical details. The
degradation mechanisms are illustrated with many drawings and photographs taken of real structures.
In the first instance, the book aims at students (bachelor or master level)
and gives a general introduction to concrete damage and durability. It is
written in such a way that it can be used in educational programs at universities or colleges in the fields of civil engineering, structural engineering,
architectural engineering, and environmental engineering. Additionally,
the book will be very helpful for professionals including architects, design
engineers, experts and consultants. These readers will find this book provides a helpful overview of the different damage mechanisms.
Although this book presents a general introduction, it can also benefit
doctoral and post-doctoral researchers as a resource referencing other,
more detailed scientific publications that offer more advanced information
on some specific degradation mechanisms.
Preface
The human perception of concrete is not always founded on clear and accurate arguments. On the one hand, concrete structures tend to be perceived
as gray and dull with a high carbon footprint. This perception is mainly
based on historical reasons, and does not duly consider recent evolutions in
concrete technology, which enable the completion of attractive and nicely
shaped, durable, and sustainable concrete structures. On the other hand,
concrete is perceived as being a strong, solid, and protective material. When
something is ‘cast in concrete,’ it will be there forever. However, although
we surely can make durable and long-lasting concrete structures, they are
not built for eternity. Things can go wrong at different stages of the construction process or during service.
This book explains how damage can occur to concrete structures. The
contents of the different chapters are structured along the timing of the
actions leading to damage. Damage can occur due to inappropriate design,
errors during execution, some mechanisms occurring during hardening
of the concrete, or actions or degradation mechanisms during service life
(hardened concrete). The different actions or mechanisms are explained
in a fundamental way without too many physical or chemical details. The
degradation mechanisms are illustrated with many drawings and photographs taken of real structures.
In the first instance, the book aims at students (bachelor or master level)
and gives a general introduction to concrete damage and durability. It is
written in such a way that it can be used in educational programs at universities or colleges in the fields of civil engineering, structural engineering,
architectural engineering, and environmental engineering. Additionally,
the book will be very helpful for professionals including architects, design
engineers, experts and consultants. These readers will find this book provides a helpful overview of the different damage mechanisms.
Although this book presents a general introduction, it can also benefit
doctoral and post-doctoral researchers as a resource referencing other,
more detailed scientific publications that offer more advanced information
on some specific degradation mechanisms.