Main Factors that Compromise Resilience in Concrete Structures

Although concrete structures are traditionally regarded as having great durability, it has been possible to notice, more and more, a higher vulnerability of such structures through new pathologies that compromise their durability. It elevates expenses with maintenance; a condition that may, not unusually, be seen on structures at a very young age. Because of that, the present article intends to discuss the main causes that compromise the resilience of such structures when facing the aggressions to which they are submitted. Starting with project related problems, going through the issue of the executive quality and finally, discussing the environmental attacks generated either by more aggressive environments or because of the lack of protection of these structures. Conditions that compromise their capacity to resist to small aggressions considered normal in the environment to which these structures are exposed. After the due discussions, this paper will try to provide some of the paths that should be followed by engineers, designers, builders, and other professionals who are responsible for these structures in a way that they will effectively present capacity for resilience that is more compatible with their functional importance and the financial cost spent for their effectiveness.

Keywords: Resilience, Pathologies, Concrete structures, Aggressive environments.

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