Decay Patterns and Damage Processes of Historic Concrete: A Survey in the Netherlands

== Abstract ==

Historic  concrete  buildings  (end  of  19th  century  –  1960s),  because  of  their 
“experimental”  character,  require  a  specific  approach  to  both  survey  and  conservation. 
Although they were built with  empirical  approaches,  some  buildings  show  a  fair  state  of 
conservation  and  resilience  –even  though  they  have  already  exceeded  the  100-year 
threshold– while others of comparable age are in severe need of restoration.  
As part of the European project CONSECH20, aimed at contributing to the conservation 
of cultural-heritage concrete buildings, this paper investigates what are the most common 
types of damage and hypothetical causes, and what direct and non-direct parameters can lead 
to a faster or slower deterioration of historic concrete in the Netherlands. The research is 
based on an initial screening study, which will be used as a basis for a larger research among 
the participant countries. 
The current research is divided in three phases. Firstly, a selection of 15 case studies 
from the Netherlands are investigated; the selection was based on criteria of age, state of 
conservation and  type  of  ownership.  Secondly,  the  history  and  materials  of  the  buildings 
are  examined. Thirdly, an on-site visual survey is performed per each building, with pre-
design templates, to identify types of damage, extent and severity. The data is then analysed 
combining different factors with a calculated index of severity. Results are discussed and 
contrasted  to  provide  further clarification of the degradation of historic concrete. A fourth 
phase, not discussed in this paper, will use this methodology in a broader context, with a 
larger number of case studies in different countries.
The results indicate that the majority of types of damage are related to corrosion, being 
the  hypothetical  cause  carbonation-induced  corrosion.  The  outcomes  of  the  investigation 
point out that  the  factors  with a  higher  impact  on  the  durability  are  the  environment, 
the  use  and maintenance of the buildings, the existence of a sacrificial plaster in exposed 
elements, and the type of ownership.  
Considering the limited number of buildings, the conclusions presented in this paper will 
be further contrasted with a larger number of case studies.

== Full document ==
<pdf>Media:Draft_Content_604884330p710.pdf</pdf>
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