AS 3600 Supp 1:1994 PDF Download

The AS 3600 Supp 1:1994 standard provides minimum requirements for the design and construction of concrete structures to ensure their safety, serviceability, and durability. It is important to note that there may be additional requirements not covered by this standard that also need to be considered.

The standard establishes a lower concrete strength limit of 20 MPa, as strengths below this value are deemed unsuitable for structures. An upper concrete strength limit of 50 MPa is adopted, as most of the research used to develop the standard focused on concrete strengths equal to or below this value. However, it acknowledges that higher strength concretes are being used both in Australia and abroad.

The standard may be applicable to concretes with 28-day compressive strengths up to 65 MPa without modification. However, it cautions that beyond 50 MPa, concrete tends to become more brittle in its structural behavior. Current detailing requirements may be inadequate to ensure the necessary elastic and ductile behavior assumed in the various design sections at higher strength levels.

This standard also addresses the density requirements of structural concretes. Concretes made from naturally occurring Australian coarse aggregates typically have surface-dry densities ranging from 2100 kg/m3 to 2800 kg/m3. Lightweight structural concretes in Australia, which use manufactured lightweight aggregates combined with naturally occurring sands, generally have a surface-dry density of no less than 1800 kg/m3. Density limits for structural concretes are set accordingly.

It is important to note that the standard specifically assumes a certain level of knowledge and competence of its users. It is primarily intended to be applied and interpreted by professionally qualified civil or structural engineers who are experienced in the design of concrete structures. The standard can also be used by equally qualified individuals working under their guidance.