Durability of normal strength self-compacting concretes and their impact on service life of reinforced concrete structures

It has been widely reported that self-compacting concrete mixtures usually show improved durability characteristics as compared with normally vibrated concretes with the same cement content and the same w/c ratio. The main target of this research is the evaluation of the durability properties of medium strength self-compacting concretes and their comparison with those measured on reference normally vibrated concretes. Eight different self-compacting mixtures were produced using different types of cements and aggregates. The durability properties assessed were the water absorption, the carbonation resistance and the chloride induced corrosion resistance. These were compared with the relevant properties measured on normally vibrated concretes of the same strength class. The coefficients calculated were used to estimate the service life of reinforced concrete structures. The results indicated that self-compacting mixtures have a significant impact on the extension of the service life of concrete structures, especially when carbonation is considered as the main aggressive factor.

► Durability properties of low and medium strength SCCs were evaluated and compared with those measured on reference NVCs.
► Water absorption, carbonation resistance and chloride induced corrosion resistance were assessed.
► The coefficients calculated were used to estimate the service life of reinforced concrete structures.
► SCC may extend the service life of concrete structures, especially when carbonation is the main aggressive factor.
► The cost per year of service life of the structure becomes close to or smaller than the one calculated with NVC mixtures.