The course aims at presenting the mechanisms of deterioration phenomena that can affect the durability of metallic and reinforced concrete structures operating in natural environments (atmosphere, soil and water) and the methods that allow their monitoring and control.

After attending the lectures and exercise sessions of the course and passing the exam, the student is expected to know the mechanisms of deterioration phenomena of construction materials and to understand how they affect the behaviour of structures in various conditions of exposure.

In addition, the student is expected to apply knowledge for making predictions on the durability behaviour of structures through the application of basic analytical models and to propose methods for inspection, monitoring and intervention of structures.

Metallic structures. Principles of corrosion mechanism. Thermodynamics and kinetics of corrosion. General and localised corrosion. Stress corrosion cracking. Corrosion of steel in natural environments: atmosphere, soil, water and seawater. Corrosion protection and prevention. Metallic coatings and paintings. Cathodic protection.

Reinforced and prestressed concrete structures. Concrete deterioration: freeze-thaw, sulphate attack, alkali-silica reaction. Corrosion of steel reinforcement: carbonation and chlorides. Hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steel. Prevention of corrosion: concrete technology, additional preventative methods. Service life and design for durability. Monitoring and inspection: potential mapping, corrosion rate, concrete resistivity. Analyses on concrete. Repair of reinforced concrete: conventional techniques and electrochemical methods.

Basic knowledge of properties of construction materials, with specific reference to metallic materials and concrete.

The exam is a written test with numerical exercises to solve and theoretical questions to answer. After obtaining a positive evaluation of the written test, the student can decide to take an oral test (not mandatory).

The exam is aimed at assessing the student’s knowledge and understanding of deterioration phenomena of construction materials and his/her ability to make quantitative evaluations on the durability behaviour of structures in service conditions and to propose suitable methods for prevention and control.

2nd edition, the 1st edition is avaliable as a book in the library of Politecnico di Milano

2nd edition, for students able to read italian

For students able to read italian; to improve the knowledge about metallic corrosion and protection

To improve the knowledge about cathodic protection

Background on properties of construction materials