New Zealand’s marine-influenced climate can impact strongly on the usable life of concrete and the steel reinforcing within.

To assist professional engineers in specifying correctly, Holcim Cement commissioned Dr Larry Gaerty of Concrete Consultancy Services Ltd to produce this computer model which compares the performance of various concrete mixes in chloride-laden environments.

Acting Harbourmaster
for Westgate Port
Taranaki, John Ireland
understands the importance of
Duracem to combat
the corrosive effects of
salt on reinforced
concrete.

The New Zealand Building Code has a durability requirement for new structures. Whilst NZ 3101:1995 offers approved solutions to the code, it does not offer prescriptive options for durability that take advantage of the performance characteristics of blended cements and/or mineral admixtures. This model is intended to offer assistance in this field.

The influence of chloride ions on durability is but one consideration in a concrete solution. This model is developed to be specifically for use by professional engineers experienced in the design of concrete structures or by persons working directly under their supervision.

Please ensure you are registered with us as a user. We will advise of updates to the model. However it remains the user's responsibility to check that their version is current.

Any comments you have on this model and its application are welcome. Please email us at cim-nz@holcim.com