As a part of the drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, embodied energy figures are under consideration for construction materials. One aspect that needs to be included is the loss of embodied energy associated with corrosion and degradation throughout the life of a structure. This paper presents a review of corrosion and protection methods from the point of view of whole-life embodied carbon. This paper presents the examples that provide the lowest embodied carbon option for different environments for steel and reinforced concrete.

The design processes for reinforced concrete are changing. More often, durability targets are being achieved by using modelling. This paper compares some of the models available and the precision undertaken to obtain the data that underpins the calculations, and it reflects on the change in the environment that is known to be occurring. In addition, a review of the sustainability implications of durability is considered. It is concluded that there may be more sustainable methods to achieve a long life than simply increasing cement contents and covers.