In the heart of Italy, at the University of Pisa, researchers are grappling with a pressing issue that could reshape the future of Europe’s infrastructure. Filippo Landi, a leading expert from the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, is at the forefront of a study that delves into the accelerating deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures due to climate change. The findings, published in Developments in the Built Environment, are a wake-up call for the construction and energy sectors, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures.
Reinforced concrete, the backbone of modern construction, is under threat from an invisible enemy: corrosion. As global temperatures rise, the steel reinforcement within concrete structures is corroding at an alarming rate, jeopardizing the integrity and longevity of buildings, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. Landi’s research, which employs a multi-model ensemble of daily climate projections, paints a stark picture of the future.
“The increasing global temperatures due to climate change are expected to accelerate the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures,” Landi explains. “This will promote steel corrosion and increase its rate, critically affecting the durability and serviceability of our infrastructure.”
The study’s European-scale map illustrates the stark reality of climate change’s impact on corrosion rates. As temperatures soar, the rate of corrosion is set to increase significantly, posing a substantial risk to the continent’s built environment. For the energy sector, this means potential disruptions to power plants, substations, and other critical facilities, with far-reaching commercial implications.
The implications of this research are profound. As Landi notes, “Predicting corrosion rates under changing climate scenarios is crucial for reliable service life assessments of ageing RC structures.” This means that engineers, architects, and policymakers must factor in these accelerated corrosion rates when designing, maintaining, and upgrading infrastructure.
So, what does this mean for the future? The study suggests that the construction industry must adapt, embracing innovative materials and technologies that can withstand the harsher conditions brought about by climate change. It also underscores the need for regular inspections and maintenance, as well as the development of predictive models that can anticipate and mitigate potential failures.
For the energy sector, the message is clear: climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a commercial one too. The accelerated deterioration of infrastructure could lead to costly repairs and disruptions, underscoring the need for robust, climate-resilient design and maintenance strategies.
Landi’s work, published in Developments in the Built Environment (translated from the Dutch as ‘Developments in the Built Environment’), is a call to action. It’s a reminder that the built environment is not static, but a dynamic entity shaped by the forces of nature and human activity. As the climate changes, so too must our approach to construction and maintenance, ensuring that our infrastructure can withstand the challenges of the future. The time to act is now, before the silent enemy of corrosion undermines the very foundations of our society.