Introduction (Book Long-Term Performance of Structural Concretes in Marine Exposure Conditions)

Book chapter, 2026

This chapter provides the technical background of this state-of-the-art report (STAR) on the long-term durability of structural concretes in marine exposure conditions, the very motivation of TC 289-DCM. As the construction of concrete infrastructure faces more severe environments and longer service lives, mastering the long-term durability of structural concretes becomes necessary. The observation from concretes exposed in field conditions provides a unique source of knowledge on long-term durability performance. The major exposure sites are reviewed for their geographical and environmental characteristics, and the exposure practice as well. Then, the works performed in RILEM TC 289-DCM are summarized and the structure of this report is introduced for each chapter with its technical contents.