The Life of Structures: Physical Testing

This volume is based upon the proceedings of an international seminar when a group of experts addressed the common goal of predicting the life of structures by interpreting their own special knowledge as part of a design process. 51 papers are reproduced together with written discussion and commentaries. The subjects covered which are related to the life of structures are: basic principles of design and assessment, structural environments, materials and test methods, nuclear and special structures, bridges, the performance of populations of structures. Together these represent a state-of-the-art examination of design for durability in the built environment.

Table of Contents:
Methodology for the prediction of the life of existing structures; serviceability and its role in structural life predicting; reliability of service proven structural systems; life cycle financial analysis for bridge rehabilitation; life prediction and optimum safety; the life of structures; wind data in structural life assessment; fatigue life estimation of offshore tubular joints using test data and service experience; some effects of micro environment on materials; deterioration of factory units used as metal plating shops; repair materials and repaired structures in a varying environment; assessing structures through field measured dynamic response; monitoring of service reservoir foundation condition by dynamic testing techniques; physical properties of structures investigates of complex LPS joints; the stiffness damage test - a quantitative method of assessing damaged concrete; inspection practices for concrete structures in the UK; monitoring the stress-strain behaviour of prestressed concrete structures; towards better reactor containments; 20 years of surveyors' experience of PCPV at Wylfa nuclear power station; structure assessment of thick reinforced concrete pile caps using 1/5 scale models; the structural performance of damaged concrete elements; the Mary Rose dry dock dam; life expectancy of hull structures of boats; the life of steel structures in the marine environment; time dependent strength properties of materials; chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete - investigations with a concrete corrosion cell; concrete cover design; in-situ measurement of permeability of concrete cover by overpressure; concrete shrinks, problems don't; lifetime performance and test induced damage in wood structures; the durability of adhesive bonds in structural applications; establishing and implementing the long term constitutive behaviour of structural plastic pipe linings; testing of brick masonry piers at seventy years; determination of in-situ stress in masonry structures; calibration of the British Ceramic Research Ltd panel freezing test against exposure site result; the performance of masonry arch bridges; the performance of masonry arch bridges with ring separation; discussion comparing the performance of bridges in Dorset from 1066 to present day; a concrete ancient monument; durability assessment of concrete bridges by in-situ testing; early results; the effect of local corrosion on the life of bridge deck slabs; predicting the fatique life of steel bridge decks; damage diagnosis and assessment of remaining fatique life time of old steel bridges. (Part contents)