Turning the tide

摘要

Structures in coastal locations cause considerable problems for owners, since high concentrations of chloride, borne in the air, rain and sea spray, attack reinforced concrete with consequential spalling and deterioration of structural integrity. In the UK, ports form a vital link in the transport chain which enables trade with countries across Europe and beyond. The UK ports industry is the largest of all the EU member states and handles an average of 568m tonnes of traffic each year. UK ports also handle over 30m passengers each year. It is therefore vital that structures associated with them are regularly maintained and repaired.