N° 152. 1983. Durability of Concrete Structures - CEB-RILEM International Workshop - Final Report.

"Design" is usually meant to be structural analysis and dimensioning against l o a d s. However , external loads and imposed de formations are but only one aspect of all environmental a c t i o n s: Other physical actions (temperature , humidity, radiations , etc.) and , mainly , chemical actions (oxidants , acids , salts , bacteria etc.) are continuously and unfavourably acting on concrete struc tures , from the environment or inherently from the constituant materials. 

It has to be admitted that such a broader philosophy of design was not prevailing during the last decades . The many difficulties of such a multidisciplinary endavour have to be recognised : Identify the actions understanding the deterioration mechanisms , modelling the corrésponding degradation , studying interactions , formulate criteria and rules for design , construction and maintenance, is a long way of technical­ scientific activities , calling for interdisciplinary and international cooperation . 

I feel privileged , as a past President of RILEM and actual President of CEB , to observe the fruitfulness of the long cooperation established between these two International Associations on the subject; the Copenhagen CEB-RILEM International Workshop on Durability of Concrete Structures is one of the most effective and productive events . 

It is my pleasure to congratulate the CEB Task Group on Durability and their Chairman Dr . Steen Rostam in particular . My thanks go also to the Department of Structura l Engineering of the Technical University of Denmark , hosting this Workshop , and to the following foundations for their kind financial support : The Cowifoundation , the Knud Hojgaard 

Foundation and the Thomas B. Thrige Foundation .