Understanding the Life Expectancy of Concrete

Concrete is widely considered one of the most durable materials on the planet. Many engineers still use it as their primary construction material, as they can expect it to perform well for decades when mixed, installed, and maintained correctly. They rely on it to create energy-efficient structures with robust aesthetic appeal. 

Concrete protects many structures from degradation over time. Understanding the longevity of concrete is essential to effective construction and maintenance of your building. In addition, you can increase your return on investment with effective preparation, reinforcement, and maintenance.

What Is the Typical Life Expectancy of Concrete?

Concrete can last up to 100 years, depending on several external factors that have a marked effect on its durability. In addition to its extended lifespan, concrete is one of the most utilized substances in the world for several reasons. It repels fire and water and is affordable for large-scale construction. Different concrete formulations have varying degrees of durability. Installation and reinforcement methodologies can extend or detract from its useful life. 

Factors Affecting Concrete Durability

A well-constructed and maintained concrete structure can last for decades, but its durability depends on several factors, including: 

• Environmental factors: Concrete’s permeability makes it susceptible to the formation of fissures as it expands and contracts. Freeze-thaw cycles can expose vulnerabilities, which, left untreated, lead to eventual structural failure. 
• Temperature: Concrete component materials have varying thermal coefficients, which can lead to spalling and deterioration at higher temperatures. They affect the rate of hydration, which ultimately reduces strength and durability. 
• Abrasion: Abrasion to a concrete surface in the form of rapidly moving water, traffic, and other repetitive movements — it wears down. The higher the compressive strength of the concrete, the higher the abrasion resistance. 
• Chemical exposure: Concrete experiences a chemical reaction when exposed to sulfates, acids, and chlorides, like deicing salts. These chemicals penetrate the concrete, which can impact the reinforcement beneath and cause corrosion. This chemical can also cause the concrete to crack, spall, and delaminate. 
• Construction practices: Concrete mixing and placement are fundamental to structural longevity. Factors like cement content, aggregate and water quality, and curing period all impact the finished product. Having proper construction practices in place mitigates the risk of shrinkage and thermal effects, which can prolong the structure’s useful life. 
• Loading conditions: Depending on the use case for the concrete, factors like traffic volume and load repetition can wear down concrete over time. Dynamic loads, including seismic activity and vibrations from machinery, can also impact durability. 

Synthetic Fibers — A Modern Solution for Extending Concrete Longevity

Despite the many factors that affect concrete longevity, you can make concrete stronger and more durable with reinforcement. Concrete’s stiffness and compression strength lends itself to reinforcement. Despite its compressive strength, it has relatively low tensile strength, leading engineers to choose from two primary reinforcement types — fiber and rebar. 

Rebar and welded wire mesh are traditional forms of reinforcement. They are placed inside the concrete in a grid pattern to enhance stability and minimize load disruption. While these reinforcement methodologies distribute vertical and horizontal forces throughout the concrete instead of allowing it to penetrate, they have limitations relating to overall longevity. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has emerged as an innovative, modern solution to strengthening concrete and maximizing its useful life. 

FRC is a composite material comprising cement, aggregate, and discontinuous, discrete fibers. These fibers are distributed throughout the concrete mix, providing three-dimensional reinforcement and tensile strength. Many fiber types are available for a wide range of applications, including cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, glass, steel, and microsynthetic fibers. 

These fibers have inherent physical properties that make them the preferred reinforcement option for many applications, including tensile strength and elastic modulus. They also come in various lengths, diameters and configurations, all of which impact their effectiveness as concrete reinforcement options. 

The Benefits of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Fiber-reinforced concrete offers enhanced longevity and several other significant benefits, including: 

• Preventing cracks: Shrinkage cracking is a common issue as moisture evaporates from a concrete mix. FRC prevents cracking in the construction phase, enhancing structural integrity and providing superior crack control. 
• Enhancing durability and ductility: Fiber increases the overall durability of concrete and improves its tensile strength. FRC withstands significant tensile stress before showing signs of damage, making it ideal for applications where the structure must carry weight. 
• Elevating flexural strength: FRC has improved flexural strength, which is essential for areas that experience surface movement and heavy loads. 
• Improving resistance to freeze-thaw cycles: Fibers create a mesh within the concrete, maintaining structural integrity when the structure expands and contracts due to temperature fluctuations. 
• Maximizing corrosion resistance: Synthetic fibers are non-corrosive, eliminating the risk of rust-induced cracking. They have many use cases in applications where the concrete structure is exposed to chemical sulfates, acids, and chlorides. 

Care and Maintenance of Existing Concrete Structures

FRC structures represent significant cost savings due to their longevity and tensile strength. However, once a concrete structure is in use, there are many strategies you can use to extend its useful life, including: 

• Conduct regular inspections: Routine inspections are essential for effective concrete maintenance. Evaluate every aspect of the structure to identify cracks, corrosion, spalling, and any other signs of distress. 
• Clean the structure: As environmental exposure can impact concrete longevity, clean the surface regularly with a high-pressure washer to remove contaminants. Regular cleaning improves the concrete’s appearance and prepares it for sealing, providing enhanced protection from the elements. 
• Repair cracks and surface damage: Address any cracks and damage promptly to limit their effects on the structure’s overall longevity. The choice of crack repair depends on the situation, but common repair techniques include sealing, caulking, and stitch bonding. 
• Use alternative deicers: Salt deicers contain chlorides, which penetrate the concrete during deicing and become the catalyst for corrosion of the rebar reinforcement within. It can also increase the damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Using alternative deicers like sand can improve traction on the concrete surface without impacting longevity. 
• Maintain and monitor the structure: Perform routine checks and take preventive actions to improve the structure’s performance and service life. 

Get Reinforcement That Lasts With FORTA

When constructing a concrete structure, longevity is one of your primary concerns. Fiber reinforcements can help you achieve the longevity, durability, and aesthetic appeal you want for your project. Choosing the correct fiber and working with experienced professionals can mean the difference between a success and an expensive lesson. 

Since 1978, FORTA has manufactured and distributed fibers across many industries and applications. We offer consistent innovation and sustainable solutions for optimized development, making us the premier solutions provider to the global construction industry. Our range of FRC products is backed by extensive research and testing, ensuring they meet our award-winning performance and reliability standards. Contact us for an innovative, quality-focused solution to your construction needs. 

Linked Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9181925/

https://sustainability.mit.edu/article/cleaning-one-worlds-most-commonly-used-substances 

https://fortacorp.com/resources/news/concrete-and-asphalt-pavement-perseveration-guide/ 

https://fortacorp.com/resources/news/concrete-fiber-vs-rebar/ 

https://fortacorp.com/markets/ 

https://fortacorp.com/solutions/concrete-solutions/ 

https://fortacorp.com/contact-us/