An expert in the ageing processes of materials and structures

Corrosion and material deterioration

Oxand is well-established as an expert in the ageing processes of construction materials (concrete, steel, polymers, etc.) and structures.

Our team has access to several decades of expertise on the ageing processes of infrastructure, using experience feedback from many and varied sources on ageing of construction materials. Oxand continually adds to its considerable experience of the ageing-related failure modes of structures such as bridges, tunnels, dykes, wharfs, dams or pipe networks.

Below are a few brief examples of ageing phenomena on concrete structures, for which Oxand has developed scientific and practical expertise :

Alkali-aggregate reactions

Alkali-aggregate reactions are chemical reactions within concrete, which generate swellings that can lead to cracking. The consequences are increase internal strains, displacements, spallings and loss of mechanical resistance.

Several of our experts, thanks to their scientific contribution, have specific competences in this area for assessing and simulating the effects of such reactions, and providing support to clients.

Chloride penetration

Chloride penetration is a phenomenon which occurs primarily in marine environments (althrough the use of de-icing salts, for example on transport infrastructure, can lead to the same effect) resulting in a rapid deterioration process by corrosion of the steel rebars of structures.

Oxand benefits from a significant amount of experience feedback on this matter thanks in part to the numerous projects undertaken on costal/maritime infrastructure.

Carbonation

Carbonation is due to carbon dioxide getting into the concrete, and so mainly occurs in urban and industrial areas. This penetration leads to general corrosion of steel reinforcements.

Thanks to data accumulated over many years and from many sources, Oxand has developed software tools which enable the prediction of carbonation rates, among other ageing mechanisms.

Steel corrosion within reinforced concrete

Mesure de la fissuration par carottages

Whatever the initial ageing mechanism which causes it, steel corrosion within reinforced concrete has many negative consequences, potentially leading to structural failures and financial impacts :

  • cracking
  • swelling
  • spalling
  • steel section reduction
  • bearing capacity reduction

In order to face these consequences, Oxand undertakes risk-based ageing analyses to provide a better understanding of the ageing processes involved, enabling maintenance decision to be taken based on all the necessary information.

Oxand is frequently tasked to establish a predictive diagnosis of ageing processes and assess their impact on an entire structure. An important set of tools in this type of mission is our SIMEO™ software plateform, witch includes software to simulate ageing processes.

The solutiuons delivered by Oxand are key building blocks in the development of sustainable management strategies.