Durability Deterioration of Reinforced Concrete Structures: A Framework Considering Climate Change Impacts

Reinforced concrete structures (RCSs) serve as critical components of national infrastructure, supporting key sectors such as transportation, energy, and water supply. However, the deterioration of these structures poses significant challenges due to its impacts on resource consumption, environmental sustainability, and public safety. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of durability deterioration mechanisms affecting RCSs, with a focus on how climate change exacerbates these processes. A structured framework is proposed to identify, categorize, and prioritize deterioration causes based on structure type, location, and environmental conditions. A case study of a roadway RC bridge in Ecuador demonstrates the framework's application, highlighting how critical, significant, and minor deterioration causes are evaluated and prioritized to optimize resource allocation and guide future vulnerability and risk assessments.