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S E C T I O N 4 D E S I G N F O R D U R A B I L I T Y
4.1 GENERAL
The requirements of this Section apply to plain, reinforced and prestressed concrete
structures and members with a design life of 50 years 20%.
NOTES:
1 More stringent requirements would be appropriate for structures with a design life in excess
of 50 years (e.g., monumental structures), while some relaxation of the requirements may be
acceptable for structures with a design life less than 50 years (e.g., temporary structures).
2 Durability is a complex topic and compliance with these requirements may not be sufficient
to ensure a durable structure.
(a) members subject to abrasion from traffic (e.g., pavements and floors) shall satisfy the
requirements of Clause 4.6;
(b) members subject to cycles of freezing and thawing shall satisfy the requirements of
Clause 4.7;
(c) members subject to aggressive soils shall satisfy Clause 4.8;
(d) members susceptible to damage due to alkali aggregate reaction (AAR) shall be
assessed and appropriate management measures shall be taken; and
NOTE: Guidance on appropriate management measures may be found in HB 79.
(e) members containing reinforcement and/or tendons, the chemical content restrictions
of the concrete shall be in accordance with Clause 4.9 and the cover to reinforcement
and tendons shall be in accordance with Clause 4.10.
TABLE 4.3
EXPOSURE CLASSIFICATIONS
Exposure classification
reinforced or prestressed
Surface and exposure environment
concrete members
(see Note 1)
1 Surface of members in contact with the ground:
(a) Members protected by a damp-proof membrane A1
(b) Residential footings in non-aggressive soils A1
(c) Other members in non-aggressive soils A2
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Exposure classification
reinforced or prestressed
Surface and exposure environment
concrete members
(see Note 1)
5 Surfaces of maritime structures in sea water:
(a) Permanently submerged B2
(b) In spray zone (see Note 6) C1
(c) In tidal/splash zone (see Note 7) C2
6 Surfaces of members in other environments, i.e., any exposure
U
environment not specified in Items 1 to 5 above (see Note 8)
NOTES:
1 In this context, reinforced concrete includes any concrete containing metals that rely on the concrete for
protection against environmental degradation. Plain concrete members containing metallic embedments
should be treated as reinforced members when considering durability.
2 Severity of sulfate attack depends on the type of sulfate. For example, magnesium sulfate is more
aggressive than sodium sulfate. The use of sulfate-resisting cement and concrete would be adequate for
sodium sulfate conditions. For the magnesium sulfate conditions, specific consideration should be given
to the cement and concrete that are likely to resist this type of sulfate.
3 The climatic zones referred to are those given in Figure 4.3, which is based on the Bureau of
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Meteorology map, Major seasonal rainfall zones of Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, 2005.
4 Industrial refers to areas that are within 3 km of industries that discharge atmospheric pollutants.
5 For the purpose of this Table, the coastal zone includes locations within 1 km of the shoreline of large
expanses of saltwater. Where there are strong prevailing winds or vigorous surf, the distance should be
increased beyond 1 km and higher levels of protection should be considered.
6 The spray zone is the zone from 1 m above wave crest level.
7 The tidal/splash zone is the zone 1 m below lowest astronomical tide (LAT) and up to 1 m above highest
astronomical tide (HAT) on vertical structures, and all exposed soffits of horizontal structures over the
sea.
8 Further guidance on measures appropriate in exposure classification U may be obtained from AS 3735.
9 In this Table, classifications A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 represent increasing degrees of severity of
exposure, while classification U represents an exposure environment not specified in this Table but for
which a degree of severity of exposure should be appropriately assessed. Protective surface coatings may
be taken into account in the assessment of the exposure classification.
TABLE 4.4
MINIMUM STRENGTH AND CURING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCRETE
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
B1 32 20
B2 40 Cure continuously for 25
C1 50 at least 7 days
32
C2 50
4.6 ABRASION
In addition to the other durability requirements of this Section, concrete for members
subject to abrasion from traffic shall have a characteristic compressive strength not less
than the applicable value given in Table 4.6.
TABLE 4.6
STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR ABRASION
Minimum characteristic
compressive strength
Member and/or traffic
( fc )
MPa
Footpaths and residential driveways 20
Commercial and industrial floors not subject to vehicular traffic 25
Pavements or floors subject to:
(a) Pneumatic-tyred traffic 32
(b) Non-pneumatic-tyred traffic 40
(c) Steel-wheeled traffic To be assessed
but not less than 40
NOTE: f c refers to the characteristic compressive strength of the wearing surface.
(b) contain a percentage of entrained air not outside the following ranges
(i) for 10 mm to 20 mm nominal size aggregate .................................. 8% to 4%; or
(ii) for 40 mm nominal size aggregate ...................................................... 6% to 3%,
where the percentage of entrained air is determined in accordance with AS 1012.4.
TABLE 4.8.1
EXPOSURE CLASSIFICATION FOR CONCRETE IN SULFATE SOILS
The minimum reinforcement cover shall be the greater of the values given in Tables 4.8.2,
4.10.3.2 and 4.10.3.3, as varied by Clause 4.10.3.5, for the appropriate exposure
classification, placement conditions and characteristic strength of concrete.
4.8.2 Saline soils
Where the surface exposure includes exposure to saline soils, the minimum requirement
shall be as shown in Table 4.8.2.
TABLE 4.8.2
STRENGTH AND COVER REQUIREMENTS FOR SALINE SOILS
48 A2 25 45
816 B1 32 50
>16 B2 40 55
NOTES:
1 EC e is saturated electrical conductivity in deciSiemens per metre.
2 Guidance on concrete in saline environments can be found in CCAA T56.
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TABLE 4.10.3.2
REQUIRED COVER WHERE STANDARD FORMWORK
AND COMPACTION ARE USED
Required cover, mm
Exposure classification Characteristic strength ( fc )
20 MPa 25 MPa 32 MPa 40 MPa 50 MPa
A1 20 20 20 20 20
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A2 (50) 30 25 20 20
B1 (60) 40 30 25
B2 (65) 45 35
C1 (70) 50
C2 65
NOTE: Bracketed figures are the appropriate covers when the concession given in
Clause 4.3.2, relating to the strength grade permitted for a particular exposure
classification, is applied.
4.10.3.3 Required cover where repetitive procedures or intense compaction are used in
rigid formwork
Where concrete members are cast in rigid formwork under repetitive procedures, with
demonstrated process control systems including supervision, the cover shall be not less than
the value given in Tables 4.8.1, 4.8.2 and 4.10.3.3, as appropriate to the exposure
classification and f c . Cover to screeded surfaces of members shall be in accordance with
Table 4.10.3.2.
TABLE 4.10.3.3
REQUIRED COVER WHERE REPETITIVE PROCEDURES
AND INTENSE COMPACTION OR SELF-COMPACTING
CONCRETE ARE USED IN RIGID FORMWORK
Required cover, mm
Exposure classification Characteristic strength ( fc )
20 MPa 25 MPa 32 MPa 40 MPa 50 MPa
A1 20 20 20 20 20
A2 (45) 30 20 20 20
B1 (45) 30 25 20
B2 (50) 35 25
C1 (60) 45
C2 60
NOTE: Bracketed figures are the appropriate covers when the concession given in
Clause 4.3.2, relating to the strength grade permitted for a particular exposure
classification, is applied.
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