How do you measure the lifespan of construction materials?

1 Material properties

The first step to measure the lifespan of construction materials is to understand their physical and chemical properties, such as strength, stiffness, density, porosity, corrosion resistance, and thermal expansion. These properties determine how the materials behave under different loads, temperatures, moisture, and environmental conditions. For example, concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, steel is ductile but prone to rust, wood is flexible but susceptible to decay, and plastics are lightweight but sensitive to UV radiation.

2 Service life prediction

The next step is to estimate the service life of the materials, which is the period of time that they can perform their intended function without failure or excessive deterioration. Service life prediction is based on mathematical models that consider the material properties, the design specifications, the exposure conditions, and the expected performance criteria. For example, the service life of concrete can be predicted by using models that account for the rate of carbonation, chloride ingress, and cracking.

3 Accelerated testing

Another way to measure the lifespan of construction materials is to conduct accelerated testing, which is a laboratory technique that simulates the effects of long-term exposure to various stressors, such as mechanical loading, temperature cycling, humidity, and chemical agents. Accelerated testing can provide valuable information about the failure modes, degradation mechanisms, and durability indicators of the materials. For example, accelerated testing can reveal the cracking patterns, chloride penetration, and strength loss of concrete.

4 Condition assessment

The final step is to monitor and evaluate the actual condition of the materials in the field, which is essential for maintaining and repairing the structures. Condition assessment involves inspecting, testing, and analyzing the materials to detect any signs of damage, deterioration, or defects. For example, condition assessment can include visual inspection, non-destructive testing, destructive testing, and sampling of the materials.

6 Resources and tips

If you want to learn more about how to measure the lifespan of construction materials, you can check out resources from the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Canadian Wood Council (CWC). These organizations provide reports, guidelines, standards, test methods, models, tools, best practices, and information that can help you evaluate and improve the durability of construction materials.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?