CHLORIDE DIFFUSION IN CONCRETE SPECIFICATIONS A CONTRACTUAL MINEFIELD

This paper examines some of the test methods considered by the Concrete Institute of Australia, Z13 Recommended Practice “Performance Criteria for Concrete in Marine Environments”. In particular the paper deals with real specifications where the test methods (or variants of them) have been part of the contract documents governing contracts performed by the authors’ organisation over recent years. The paper seeks to demonstrate the dangers for specifiers in not fully understanding the nature, methodology and purpose of tests chosen for the specification. Further, the matter of time is highlighted as it relates to material pre-qualification, available time allowed by the contract to establish benchmarks and the real relevance of the tests to the design life of the structure. Finally, the paper deals with the huge potential for contractual dispute and litigation where short-term tests are specified indiscriminately without due reference to the outcomes actually being sought.