Harnessing the Developments in Concrete Technology Towards Sustainable Infrastructure under Severe Exposure Conditions: A Review

Reinforced concrete is widely used in establishing infrastructure for human development. Its use is dictated by the easy availability of the constituent materials and affable preparation methods. While it possesses acceptable compressive strength, it is weak in tension. Consequently, concrete has to be reinforced to cater to the tensile stresses imposed on a structure. In addition to the structural drawbacks, concrete may face durability problems on exposure to aggressive environments, such as high temperature, humidity, salinity, acid exposure, etc. However, extensive research has solved concrete durability problems to a great extent in structures exposed to severe exposure conditions. This review highlights research work conducted to develop materials for dense and impermeable concrete. Advances include the use of supplementary cementitious materials, alkali-activated binders, corrosion inhibitors, nanomaterials, fiber reinforcement, and self-healing systems to mitigate cracking and chloride diffusion. Protective measures, such as surface treatments, cathodic protection, and non-metallic reinforcement have also been discussed. Other developments include, use of admixtures, curing techniques, surface coatings, corrosion-resistant steel reinforcement, etc. While each method offers distinct benefits, no single technique can universally guarantee protection. Maximum durability is achieved when solutions are conjointly used, such as combining admixtures, curing compounds, protective coatings, specialty reinforcement, etc., and tailored to site-specific conditions.