Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement - Life cycle cost considerations

To ensure the usability of German traffic infrastructure made of reinforced concrete, enormous annual expenditure is required. Unplanned high chloride loads due to de-icing salts are the ultimate cause of much corrosion damage and the resulting costs of repair. To achieve an improved durability of reinforced concrete structures, Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement (ECR) can be used. The assessment of the corrosion protection potential of such a system is the objective of a current research project. This paper presents a cost-benefit analysis of ECR by the means of realistic simulated scenarios (inter alia full probabilistic service life predictions, practical maintenance varieties) over the whole service life a structure. Just based on economic considerations the necessary extra service life by the use of ECR compared to normal black steel (uncoated) is calculated.