Benchmarking - a validation of UTDefect (original) (raw)

Concrete is a versatile construction material used as primary material for project construction in the Middle East. Unfortunately concrete deteriorates for many known and sometimes unknown reasons. Aggressive environment with hostile elements such as chlorides , sulfates, corrosive chemicals and carbon dioxide attacks the concrete, in presence of humidity and Oxygen, c ausing deterioration. Concrete deterioration may be caused by concrete lo osing alkalinity, or by steel corrosion, or by both . Projects with concrete structural elements, through their life cycle, need be investigated for many re asons. Heightening a building, changing its function, main tenance works and other reasons deem concrete testi ng necessary. Concrete testing can be achieved through destructiv e and non-destructive methods. These methods are well documented and accepted by International Codes . However, this is not the end of the story! Concrete testing in existing structures confronts t he engineer with ma...