How can deterioration of concrete components be minimised?
This requires an early accurate assessment of the environment (e.g. risk of attack from chlorides in road salts, sulfates in the ground). It is important to use the correct concrete specification and specified cover to reinforcement. Following the guidance in concrete Standards (e.g. BS 8500) should lead to a durable structure, avoiding problems such as alkali aggregate reaction. Deterioration factors in timber · Main durability risk factors in timber are moisture, insects and fungi. From these, the following durability issues can arise: · deformation of members due to moisture movement · fungal decay (dry and wet rot) and insect attack (long horn beetle, termites) · structural performance phenomena like reduction in strength and stiffness.
