This proceeding addresses the work done by the PIANC Working Group 162 dedicated to provide recommendations for increased durability and service life of new marine concrete infrastructure.
The durability of concrete structures in the marine environment is not only related to design and materials but also to construction.
As a basis for the durability design and production of new major concrete infrastructure, all minimum requirements in existing concrete codes and standards as well as all established recommendations and guidelines for good construction practice must be strictly followed.
In recent years, many owners of existing concrete infrastructure have experienced a significant and rapidly increasing proportion of their limited construction budgets being spent on repairs and maintenance of the structures many owners are showing an increasing interest to invest somewhat more at the outset of their new projects in order to obtain a better controlled and enhanced durability of the structures.
A better durability design and quality assurance for new concrete infrastructure can be achieved, and documentation of as-built construction quality and compliance with the durability specification can be obtained.
In the report, some additional recommendations and guidelines to existing concrete standards for durability and service life are provided, the objective of which has been to obtain a better controlled and enhanced durability of new marine concrete infrastructure beyond what is possible when based only on existing concrete standards. This guidance is given with emphasis upon durability design and quality assurance as well as condition assessment and preventive maintenance during the operational life of the structures.