Epoxy-coated reinforcement - Optimization of life-cycle costs?

In order to ensure the serviceability of reinforced concrete structures in the German traffic system enormous annual expenditures are required. Beside frost-induced degradation of concrete, chloride and carbonation induced corrosion are the ultimate causes of corrosion damages yielding 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 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 of a structure. Solely based on economic considerations the necessary extra service life by the use of ECR compared to normal black steel (uncoated) is calculated. As a result of these findings an approach for a comparative environmental performance evaluation is introduced.