Many various physical, mechanical and deformation properties have to be designed, tested and observed during life of concrete because of possible failures in given service load and climatic conditions. Apart from basic strength characteristics, it is necessary to keep in view water tightness, capillarity, water absorbing capacity, frost resistance, volumetric changes or thermal expansion. Preventing of these failures during the whole life of concrete structures in various exposure classes is the basic condition of achieving required long-term durability. The text below describes several important properties of concrete connected with flaws and failures.
The crucial mechanical properties of concrete are compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, tensile strength, tensile bending strength and shear strength. Deformation properties are connected with volumetric changes and action of external and internal strength; the characteristic mechanical property is defined by static or dynamic elasticity modulus. As regards durability of concrete, the concept is relative and limited depending on the time of action of physical and chemical influences. Corrosion of concrete is the process leading to disintegration of the material by means of chemical processes or physical influences. Durability also includes fire resistance, frost resistance and abrasive quality of concrete.