A novel methodological approach towards the sustainable life cycle design of reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments

Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures are widely constructed in the world. Unfortunately, their durability is quickly lost after several years of constructing because of the action of aggressive environments. Consequently, they... [ view full abstract ]

Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures are widely constructed in the world. Unfortunately, their durability is quickly lost after several years of constructing because of the action of aggressive environments. Consequently, they should be attended by a system of maintenance during their service life in order to maintain their performances during service life. The ongoing environmental impacts of RC structures will be approximately proportional to the amount of maintenance required. We thus consider that designing for sustainability of RC structures is related to two main interdependent aspects: highest durability and lowest environmental impacts. In order to estimate best designing solutions of RC structures, we developed an approach integrating durability models, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and sensitivity analysis methods. This approach is presently applied to alteration of RC structure for XC4 exposure class (according to the EN 206-1 classification) in Madrid. The preventive coating and patching repair system alternatives are anticipated for the structure during a 100-year service life to prevent the corrosion risk of reinforcements caused by carbonation. The outcome provides effective action levers allowing to conceptualize the RC structure ensuring both highest durability and lowest impacts on climate change.