Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation
Reinforced concrete (RC) is one of the world's most durable building materials. However, outdated and insufficient durability specifications often lead to the early deterioration of RC structures, escalating global maintenance costs. Prescriptive durability specifications for reinforced concrete (RC...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Department of Civil Engineering
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613255197786112 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mosoy, Florah |
| author2 | Alexander, Mark G. |
| author_browse | Alexander, Mark G. Mosoy, Florah |
| author_facet | Alexander, Mark G. Mosoy, Florah |
| author_sort | Mosoy, Florah |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Reinforced concrete (RC) is one of the world's most durable building materials. However, outdated and insufficient durability specifications often lead to the early deterioration of RC structures, escalating global maintenance costs. Prescriptive durability specifications for reinforced concrete (RC) often include mix design parameters such as minimum cement content and maximum water/binder ratio, which are intended to contribute to durability. However, achieving a specific compressive strength alone does not guarantee durability. These rigid regulations stifle innovation in design and construction and often fail to capture the durability characteristics of modern concrete. Even if a mixed design complies with specifications, it may not achieve its intended service life under varying exposure conditions. This study establishes an international perspective on using performance-based specifications for concrete durability, contrasting them with the commonly used prescriptive based specifications. Performance-based approaches allow for customizing concrete mixtures to meet specific performance goals by focusing on measurable properties that ensure performance under particular conditions. These requirements can be applied to various stages, including design, service life modelling, specification, pre-qualification, and conformance evaluation. The study involved a review of current durability provisions in selected standards from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, India and South Africa, followed by an analysis of performance-based specifications implementation in these countries. Key factors influencing the adoption of performance-based specifications, such as regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and environmental exposure classification systems, were examined. The study proposes a practical framework for adopting performance-based specifications for concrete durability, covering aspects such as verifying environmental exposure conditions, concrete cover requirements, material constituents, alternative cementitious materials, testing methods for performance specification and also regulatory framework. This framework aims to educate professionals on the practical implications of performance-based specifications and promote its adoption for enhancing the durability and sustainability of concrete structures. By addressing these elements, this study provides a framework to establish a structured, adaptable approach that ensures concrete structures meet desired durability and service life requirements under specific environmental conditions. This framework prioritizes measurable performance criteria over rigid prescriptive measures, enabling tailored concrete mix designs that address exposure conditions, material quality, and maintenance expectations. By doing so, the proposed framework promotes innovation, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in concrete construction, ultimately enhancing structural resilience and reducing long-term repair and maintenance costs. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42475 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:13.838Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Civil Engineering |
| publisherStr | Department of Civil Engineering |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42475 An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation Mosoy, Florah Alexander, Mark G. reinforced concrete RC durable building materials Reinforced concrete (RC) is one of the world's most durable building materials. However, outdated and insufficient durability specifications often lead to the early deterioration of RC structures, escalating global maintenance costs. Prescriptive durability specifications for reinforced concrete (RC) often include mix design parameters such as minimum cement content and maximum water/binder ratio, which are intended to contribute to durability. However, achieving a specific compressive strength alone does not guarantee durability. These rigid regulations stifle innovation in design and construction and often fail to capture the durability characteristics of modern concrete. Even if a mixed design complies with specifications, it may not achieve its intended service life under varying exposure conditions. This study establishes an international perspective on using performance-based specifications for concrete durability, contrasting them with the commonly used prescriptive based specifications. Performance-based approaches allow for customizing concrete mixtures to meet specific performance goals by focusing on measurable properties that ensure performance under particular conditions. These requirements can be applied to various stages, including design, service life modelling, specification, pre-qualification, and conformance evaluation. The study involved a review of current durability provisions in selected standards from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, India and South Africa, followed by an analysis of performance-based specifications implementation in these countries. Key factors influencing the adoption of performance-based specifications, such as regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and environmental exposure classification systems, were examined. The study proposes a practical framework for adopting performance-based specifications for concrete durability, covering aspects such as verifying environmental exposure conditions, concrete cover requirements, material constituents, alternative cementitious materials, testing methods for performance specification and also regulatory framework. This framework aims to educate professionals on the practical implications of performance-based specifications and promote its adoption for enhancing the durability and sustainability of concrete structures. By addressing these elements, this study provides a framework to establish a structured, adaptable approach that ensures concrete structures meet desired durability and service life requirements under specific environmental conditions. This framework prioritizes measurable performance criteria over rigid prescriptive measures, enabling tailored concrete mix designs that address exposure conditions, material quality, and maintenance expectations. By doing so, the proposed framework promotes innovation, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in concrete construction, ultimately enhancing structural resilience and reducing long-term repair and maintenance costs. 2025-12-22T10:53:51Z 2025-12-22T10:53:51Z 2025 2025-12-22T10:51:39Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MEng http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42475 en eng application/pdf Department of Civil Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | reinforced concrete RC durable building materials Mosoy, Florah An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| title_full | An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| title_fullStr | An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| title_full_unstemmed | An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| title_short | An international perspective on performance-based specifications for concrete durability, with a suggested framework for implementation |
| title_sort | international perspective on performance based specifications for concrete durability with a suggested framework for implementation |
| topic | reinforced concrete RC durable building materials |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42475 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mosoyflorah aninternationalperspectiveonperformancebasedspecificationsforconcretedurabilitywithasuggestedframeworkforimplementation AT mosoyflorah internationalperspectiveonperformancebasedspecificationsforconcretedurabilitywithasuggestedframeworkforimplementation |