Recommendation of RILEM TC 281-CCC: Test method to determine the effect of uniaxial compression load and uniaxial tension load on concrete carbonation depth

The combination of environmental actions and mechanical load, which most structural concretes are subjected to, has a synergetic effect on the durability of concrete. The comparative test conducted by RILEM TC 281-CCC WG4 demonstrated and quantified the effect of an applied mechanical load on carbonation performance of concrete with supplementary cementitious materials. Although the effect of loading on the chemical durability of concrete should be taken into consideration for the development of realistic service life predictions, they have been widely overlooked so far. This recommendation proposed by RILEM TC 281-CCC WG4 proposes a testing method for determining the effect of applied load on the carbonation rate of concrete. It specifies a detailed experimental procedure to determine the carbonation development of concretes subjected to compressive and tensile loads. Therefore this recommendation will support the consideration of such combined effects in design codes.