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BCRC at the Cutting Edge of Durability and Inspection Technology

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At BCRC, we pride ourselves on leading from the front—whether it’s designing for durability, conducting structural inspections, or delivering best-practice repair advice. Our work is underpinned by deep technical knowledge and a commitment to staying at the forefront of global developments in concrete technology.

That commitment was recently on display when Dr Jessie Ratcliffe, who leads our Victorian team and holds a PhD in Materials Engineering, travelled to Europe to participate in two major industry events.

International Conference on Concrete Repair, Durability and Technology

Concrete Solutions 2025 | Lisbon, Portugal | 16–18 June 2025

Dr Ratcliffe attended the 9th International Conference on Concrete Repair, Durability and Technology, hosted by LNEC in Lisbon. This leading global event brought together engineers, researchers and asset owners from around the world to share the latest in research, product development and field applications across:

  • Concrete durability and admixture technology
  • Electrochemical repair and NDT diagnostics
  • Repair of fire-damaged structures and heritage conservation
  • Structural health monitoring and surface protection
  • Sustainable repair technologies and service life modelling

The event provided a valuable opportunity to explore cutting-edge techniques for extending the service life of infrastructure, central to BCRC’s mission of helping clients reduce lifecycle costs through better design and maintenance.

During the conference, Dr Ratcliffe also caught up with industry colleagues, including Nick Critchley from Marine & Civil Maintenance, whose team specialises in repairs and chloride extraction. Collaborations like these strengthen our ability to deliver real-world, results-focused solutions.

 

Advanced Training in Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation

NDT6E-CE Course | Berlin, Germany | 25 June – 1 July 2025

Following the conference, Dr Ratcliffe attended the Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation in Civil Engineering course at BAM—the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Berlin.

The intensive five-day program provided hands-on experience with state-of-the-art NDT equipment and techniques used to evaluate the condition of civil structures. Dr Ratcliffe is the third person at BCRC to have completed BAM training.

This training reinforces BCRC’s leadership in the use of NDT to assess concrete performance, structural health and long-term durability—crucial for managing ageing infrastructure with minimal disruption and maximum precision.

Engineering Expertise Meets Global Innovation

BCRC continues to invest in the professional development of our team and maintains close links with global leaders in research and practice. Whether we’re applying advanced diagnostics or designing for 100-year performance, we bring the latest thinking to every project.

For expert advice on durability and structural assessment, contact BCRC Durability Consultants today.

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Durability Design in the Circular Economy

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BCRC Durability Design and Engineering in the Circular Economy

The built environment encompasses all spaces and structures created by humans for human use, forming a dynamic setting in which assets are continuously built, operated, maintained, and eventually renewed or replaced.

Each asset within this environment undergoes a complete lifecycle comprising five distinct phases: designing and planning, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance, and ultimately renovation or demolition.

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Durability Engineering: Extending Infrastructures’ Design Life for a Circular Economy

Durability engineering plays a critical role in advancing the circular economy by extending the lifespan of infrastructure and reducing the need for resource-intensive repairs, replacements, or demolitions. Central to this approach is the integration of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates the environmental impact of materials and design decisions across the entire asset lifecycle.

By embedding sustainability from the outset, LCA and durability engineering together support resource efficiency, minimise embodied carbon, and reduce overall environmental impact.

Moving away from the traditional “build, use, demolish” model, this strategy prioritises resilient design and material reuse, ensuring long-term performance while aligning with circular economy principles.

The result is infrastructure that remains functional, efficient, and environmentally responsible for generations.

circularity in the built environment

Key points of the low-carbon strategy adopted by Durability Engineers are:

  1. Designing structures for longevity and resilience.

By using tools like probabilistic durability modelling and analysing deterioration mechanisms such as carbonation or chloride ingress, engineers can make informed decisions to minimise risk from the outset and efficiently target the design life of the structures. Concrete mixes with low permeability, paired with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag, improve durability and reduce carbon emissions. Additional measures like cathodic protection and corrosion inhibitors help safeguard steel reinforcement from long-term deterioration.

  1. Preventative Maintenance and Structural Health Monitoring

Ongoing care is just as important as upfront design. Regular condition assessments ensure that small problems can be addressed before they escalate.

Also, preventative maintenance and the implementation of live monitoring systems such as IoT sensors and AI-driven diagnostics enable early detection of issues, helping to extend service life and reduce the need for major interventions.

3. Adaptive Reuse and Retrofit Solutions

When existing structures start to show their age, adaptive reuse and retrofit solutions offer a sustainable alternative to demolition.

Design solutions like tailored repair strategies or Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening can restore structural performance while adding seismic or fire resilience, ensuring older buildings continue to meet modern standards.

4. Material Recovery and Circular Deconstruction

Finally, durability engineering supports circular outcomes at the end of a structure’s life. Engineers make reclaiming high-value materials like steel and concrete easier by designing for disassembly and material recovery. Recycled aggregates and reclaimed elements reduce the environmental impact of demolition, feeding valuable resources back into the construction cycle.

Together, these strategies extend the life of infrastructure and move us closer to a truly circular and low-carbon-built environment.

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BCRC- Durability and the Circular Economy

At BCRC, we are committed to driving innovation in durability engineering, ensuring that the built environment aligns with the circular economy. Our expertise in durability design, material performance, and lifecycle assessment helps future-proof infrastructure while promoting sustainability. As the industry moves towards a more circular approach, durability will remain at the core of resilient and resource-efficient construction.

By integrating advanced materials, predictive maintenance, adaptive reuse, and deconstruction strategies, the industry can significantly reduce waste, lower embodied carbon, and build a sustainable future.

BCRC integrates durability and circular economy principles, shaping a more resilient and environmentally responsible built environment.