Durability design criteria for concrete structures – An overview of existing codes, guidelines and specifications

Assessment of durability of reinforced concrete structures involves the understanding of the mechanisms related to the deterioration process and their modeling, identification of the main variables affecting the problem, and service-life prediction. This is a complex issue that has been addressed in codes, guidelines, and specifications in different formats. Additionally, due to the uncertainties in the variables related to the deterioration process, a probabilistic treatment of these uncertainties must be adopted in the durability assessment and service-life prediction of RC structures. As a first step in contributing to this effort, TG 1 of the Technical Council on Life-Cycle Performance, Safety, Reliability and Risk of Structural Systems, Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers has prepared a report, identifying some major codes, guidelines and specifications addressing the subject in different regions of the world. Current formats and trends in the treatment of uncertainties in these documents are discussed.