Abstract
A review of past and present concrete practices in the hot weather of the Arabian Gulf countries is presented in this paper. Several issues are discussed regarding the environmental and climatic aspects in the Gulf region and the Arabian Peninsula. It shows that not all concrete buildings in the Gulf region must deteriorate or become unserviceable or ready for demolition after short periods of service. Available options are discussed such as preparing local building codes and adopting modern technologies, etc. The paper is an attempt to shed some light on the practical approaches that engineers in this region could take. The aim is to preserve existing buildings and to increase confidence in future structures by improving their quality and performance, thus lengthening their service life in the hot weather and severe environment of the Gulf.
Résumé
Dans cet article, on présente une revue des pratiques passées et présentes du béton soumis au climat chaud des pays du Golfe Arabique. Plusieurs aspects environnementaux et climatiques de la région du Golfe et de la Péninsule Arabique sont discuté. On démontre qu’il n’est pas inéluctable que tous les bâtiments en béton de la région du Golfe se détériorent, deviennent inutilisables ou prêts à démolition après de courtes périodes de service. Des options possibles sont discutées, telles la préparation des codex locaux de construction et l’adoption de technologies modemes. Cet article tente de présenter des approches pratiques qui pourraient être adoptées par les ingénieurs de la région. Le but est de préserver les bâtiments existants et l’accroître la confiance dans des constructions futures par l’amélioration de leur qualité et de leurs performances, augmentant ainsi leur durée de vie en service dans l’environnement chaud et sévère du Golfe.
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Dr. H. M. Zein Al-Abideen is a Senior Member of RILEM. He is the Deputy Minister for Public Works at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Saudi Arabia, a RILEM Associate Member. Dr. Zein Al-Abiden is a member of TC 094-CHC on Concrete in Hot Climates.
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Zein Al-Abideen, H.M. Concrete practices in the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf. Mat. Struct. 31, 275–280 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480426
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480426