Considering Durability in Structural Condition Assessments

摘要

An overall understanding of durability and service life (design life) of both structural and non-structural materials can assist the engineer in making informed, economical decisions on whether undesirable existing conditions are still acceptable or whether rehabilitation is required. Durability is defined here as the relationship between the expected service life and the actual service life of building components, in the absence of uncontrolled defects and deterioration. Understanding the normal (expected) service life of a material or system is essential in determining whether it is suffering expected levels of deterioration, or whether defects are present that may be shortening the service life. This paper will discuss classification and estimation of the design life of structural materials and the standards and publications that address these issues. It will also discuss the issues involved in accepting undesirable existing conditions: is the public served by remedying an existing condition to strict compliance with design standards and building codes? This paper presents a synthesis of the information presented by the authors in Chapter One, “Defects, Deterioration and Durability” of the recently published book Structural Condition Assessment; for more depth of coverage on the subject matter, readers are referred to this book.