The unit’s research in concrete durability has been on-going for more than two decades and has led to a better understanding of the deterioration mechanisms of concrete.
Test methods for the durability of concrete developed by CoMSIRU researchers have now been refined to a point where they are now within the SABS system for acceptance as national standards. Also, the revision of SANS 10100-2 will incorporate research outputs in terms of concrete durability clauses.
CoMSIRU’s research has instilled a comprehensive approach to condition assessment and strengthening of concrete structures, which may be noted by the input into national codes and standards, where research findings are being reflected. The unit’s publications, specifically the series of monographs that are produced are regularly supplemented by new material. As far as scientific papers are concerned, the output of CoMSIRU is substantial, and the vast majority appear in internationally respected journals and conferences. New approaches from this research continue to be applied in major national construction projects.
Reports, lectures and publications
Durability Index (DI) Testing – procedure manual (Version 5.0, 2023-11-06)
Durability Index (DI) Testing – spreadsheet template (Version 2023)
Transport mechanisms, corrosion of steel and corrosion assessment in concrete (2010)
Workshops
LC3 Information Day
19 November 2019, Cape Town
International workshop on Limestone Calcined Clay Cements (LC3)
Opening slides to the LC3 Information Day – Prof. Mark Alexander, CoMIRU, South Africa
Sustainability: An introduction – Assoc. Prof. Vernon Collis, CoMSIRU, South Africa
LC3: A breakthrough technology to reduce CO2 emissions from cementitious materials – Prof. Karen Scrivener, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
LC3: Financial profitability – Laurent Grimmeissen, Cementis GmbH, Weilen, Switzerland
Performance of LC3 Concrete – Prof. Manu Santhanam, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, India
Environmental benefits of LC3 – Silas Markert, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
An update on the progress of the work of LC3 TRC in Latin America – Prof. Fernando Martirena, CIDEM, University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas, Cuba
Limestone calcined clay cement - experiences in India and Africa – Dr Soumen Maity, Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), India
LC3 Project at UCT: Development of low-clinker concrete: Partial replacement of cement with calcined clay and limestone, based on selected African raw materials – Emmanuel Leo, University of Cape Town (UCT) & CoMSIRU, South Africa
Overview of South Africa’s clay deposits – Dr Jenny Jay, Serina Trading, South Africa
Kaolin Group Marketing Presentation – Savio Hagemann, Kaolin Group, South Africa
Calcined Clay Cements (LC3): A South African Perspective – Mike Mc Donald, AfriSam, South Africa
Blended Cements: The TCI Perspective – Bryan Perrie, The Concrete Institute (TCI), South Africa
Monographs
Predictions of reinforced concrete durability in the marine environment
Guide to the use of durability indexes for achieving durability in concrete structures
Rapid chloride conductivity testing of concrete
Concrete durability testing manual
Repair principles for corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete structures
Structural and durability properties of concrete made with Corex slag
The effectiveness of organic corrosion inhibitors for reinforced concrete
Predicting time-temperature profiles in concrete structures due to the heat of hydration
Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete: Influence of cover cracking and concrete quality
Recycled concrete aggregates and their influence on concrete properties
Completed Theses
Research area: Concrete material technology and concrete durability
- Effect of oxygen availability on the corrosion rate of reinforced concrete in marine exposure zones: inference from site and lab studies (2019). Amy Moore, MSc
- Towards a triphasic Theory of Porous Media-based model for chloride-induced corrosion in reinforced concrete (2019). Joanitta Ndawula, MSc
- Carbonation and permeability characteristics of modern South African concretes (2018). Nabeel Omar, MSc
- Service life extension of reinforced concrete structures using hydrophobic impregnation (2018). Haris Sohawon, MSc
- Relating concrete cube, core and cylinder compressive strengths that are cast, cured, prepared and tested in laboratory conditions (2017). William Peter Younger Smith, MSc
- Composition and microstructure of concrete mixtures subjected to biogenic acid corrosion and their role in corrosion prediction of concrete outfall sewers(2016). Moses Kiliswa, PhD
- Assessing the influence of crack width on the durability potential of cracked concrete using the durability index approach (2015). Janina Kanjee, MSc
- Refinement of air-borne chloride exposure classes for RC structures in the Cape Peninsula (2015). Olukayode Alao, MSc
- The effect of cyclic wetting and drying on the corrosion rate of steel in reinforced concrete (2015). Gavin Golden, MSc
- A framework towards the design of more sustainable concrete structures (2014). Rachel Njeri Muigai, PhD
- A study of the influence of aggregate grading on concrete penetrability (2014). Michael Loseby, MSc
- An investigation into the relationship between surface concrete resistivity and chloride conductivity test (2014). Lombe Mutale, MSc
- Critical review of the South African Concrete Durability Index tests (2014). Zaahir Mukadam, MSc
- The development of empirical chloride-induced corrosion rate prediction models for cracked and uncracked steel reinforced concrete structures in the marine tidal zone (2014). Mike Benjamin Otieno, PhD
- Durability specifications for structural concrete: an international comparison (2013). Justine Kessy, MSc
- Fine aggregate resources in the greater Cape Town area (2013). Benjamin Walker, MSc
- Predicting and testing the tensile relaxation of concrete (2013). Nicholas Kizito, MSc
- The influence of mix design parameters and compressive strength on durability indices (2013). Matteo Angelucci, MSc
- The integration of non-destructive test methods in the South African Durability Index approach (2013). Simon Starck, MSc
- The use of construction and demolition waste in concrete in Cape Town (2013). Kyle Wickins, MSc
- Acid resistance of sewer pipe concrete (2012). Ntseuoa Motsieloa, MSc
- Practical implementation of the durability index-based performance approach (2012). Gladwell Ng'ang' a , MSc
- The influence of curing techniques and chemical admixtures on the properties of concrete (2012). Michael Martin, MSc
- The suitability of rammed earth for construction in the Cape Town metropolitan area (2012). John Thuysbaert, MSc
- The use of natural site derived materials as concrete aggregate (2012). Barrie O'Neill-Williams, MSc
- Influences on the transport properties of a range of South African marine concretes (2010). Kung'u Githachuri
- Acid resistance of sewer pipe concrete (2008). Clyde William Fourie, MSc
- Corrosion propagation in cracked and uncracked concrete (2008). Mike Otieno, MSc
- Probabilistic modelling for durability design of reinforced concrete structures (2008). Rachel Njeri Muigai, MSc
- Chloride transport through concrete and implications for rapid chloride testing (2006). Thomas J. Gardner, MSc
- The influence of binder type and cracking on reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete (2004). Allan Nye Scott, PhD
Research area: Concrete repair and bonded concrete overlays
- The influence of mix design parameters on restrained shrinkage cracking in non-structural concrete patch repair mortars (2018). Philemon Arito, PhD
- Alternative patch repair materials for rebar corrosion damage (2017). Primesh Jassa, MSc
- The influence of fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag on restrained shrinkage cracking of bonded overlays (2016). Chiziya Chibulu, MSc
- Optimising the content and gradation of recycled tyre rubber particles to improve cracking resistance of concrete mortars (2015). Molefe Tsoana, MSc
- Influence of substrate moisture preparation on concrete overlay bond strength (2014). Marco Talotti, MSc
- The effect of aggregate on the age at cracking of bonded concrete overlays subjected to restrained deformation (2013). Thomas Dittmer, MSc
- Assessing the age at cracking of concrete repair mortars (2012). Masuzyo Chilwesa, MSc
- Discrete sacrificial anodes and their use in service life extension of chloride-contaminated reinforced concrete structures (2012). Philemon Arito, MSc
- Investigating repair mortars containing superabsorbent polymers as a method of internal curing to improve concrete patch repair performance (2012). Marc Gillmer, MSc
- Measurable parameters for performance of corroded and repaired RC beams under load (2010). Goitseone Malumbela, PhD
- Tensile relaxation of bonded concrete overlays (2009). Crispen Masuku, MSc
- Repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete harbour structures (2007). Andrew G. Rowan, MSc
Research area: Structural integrity and monitoring
- Behaviour of FRP strengthened RC Beams with concrete patch repairs subjected to impact loading (2017). Philbert Habimana, MSc
- An investigation of the relationships between inventory and inspection data of RC bridges and RC culverts in the Western Cape Province (2014). Thuthukile Mbanjwa, MSc
- Behaviour of RC beams patch repaired and strengthened with FRP composites: a numerical study (2014). Salathiel Mundeli, MSc
- Dynamic modelling of arch dams in the ambient state (2014). Mfundo Vezi, MSc
- The behaviour of patch repaired & RFP strengthened reinforced concrete beams: an experimental investigation (2014). Thabiso Dladla, MSc
- Thermo-mechanical modelling of arch dams for performance assessment (2013). Mbongeni Nzuza
- Calibration of an arch dam model by the finite element method using ambient vibration testing (2012). Ramonate Makha, MSc
- Ambient vibration testing of concrete dams (2011). Patrick Bukenya, MSc
- Vibration-based performance assessment of concrete-concrete composite bridges (2009). Bongani Sibanda, MSc
- Application of vibration-based damage techniques to civil infrastructure: Incorporating uncertainty quantification (2008). Setonam Komla Dzvukamanja, MSc