Consideration of Design Life of Structures

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in research in the field of the service life of structures due to a perceived lack of performance of built structures in the last several decades. To address this issue, it has been suggested that more emphasis should be given to in-service performance of a structure that could possibly be based on design-life concepts. Applying such concepts, with the numerous variables and parameters involved, is a complex issue. The present paper summarizes the findings of recent research, showing possible approaches to the consideration of design-life concepts as well as some discussion of the difficulties associated with them. The life span of a structure is broken up into the typical stages of progression, that is, conceptual design, final design, construction, and maintenance and repair, with the various influences identified and discussed at each of these stages. It followed from our research that quality-control and quality-assurance procedures at the design and construction stage have considerable influence on the design life of a structure. It was found that further developments in these areas are needed if the durability of a structure is to be predicted.