SEDL / STP / STP691-EB / STP36045S

The Meaning of Durability and Durability Prediction

Frohnsdorff, G
Leaders of Building Composites Group and Building Materials Group, Center for Building Technology, National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.

Masters, LW
Leaders of Building Composites Group and Building Materials Group, Center for Building Technology, National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1980

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Abstract

The concept of durability is not well defined. The term durability is often used to imply the possession of qualities associated with long-life. In some standards for building components, it is nonquantitative and implies that design requirements are likely to be exceeded for the design service life or some other specified period. The new ASTM Recommended Practice for Developing Short-Term Accelerated Tests for Prediction of the Service Life of Building Components and Materials (E 632 - 78), is outlined. The application of the recommended practice to service life prediction is illustrated by an example for work being planned on protective coatings for steel.