Demolishing and rebuilding is becoming less and less of an option, and developing trends such as the growth of PFI are directing attention to whole life costing. With the relentless drive towards greater sustainability, proper asset management of the existing infrastructure will become increasingly important in the future.

This authoritative book draws together deterioration and repair/remediation with practical asset management. Despite the wealth of information there is a lack of clear guidance on how to carry out a practical assessment of concrete structures and manage repair in the field. Accordingly, this book gives solid practical guidance on assessment, and outlines when and how to act. The focus is on engineering aspects and decision-making, in terms of perspective, procedures and principles, while giving references for matters of detail such as test methods and the mechanisms of deterioration.

It links deterioration to deficiencies in design, detailing, materials and construction quality. It then gives examples of how asset management systems have evolved for different types of structure in different countries. It shows how to move forward from inspection and diagnosis, through different methods of damage or structural assessment, to the selection of the optimum method of repair or remedial action. The concept of progressive screening is proposed – that is, only going as far as is necessary to reach a decision with confidence.

The author has drawn on over thirty years experience on concrete durability and, in particular, on his involvement in three recent European-funded projects, involving collaboration between the owners of structures and researchers.