Effect of material quality on life-time performance of concrete structures

The structural performance depends on load and resistance parameters. These parameters are time-varying random variables. Therefore, reliability can be utilized as a rational measure of structural performance. This paper is focused on the effect of material related parameters on the reliability of concrete components. Properties of concrete change with time, depending on many factors including proportions of the mix, initial stages (curing conditions and maturing), concrete volume (effect of hydration heat), and exposure to aggressive environment (pollution, salt).