Home / Current Issue / Paper 1718027
Comparative Evaluation of Concrete Spacer Systems for Reinforced Concrete Structures in Tropical Environments
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Construction Materials Engineering
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1718027
Abstract
Concrete spacers play a critical role in maintaining the required concrete cover and ensuring the durability of reinforced concrete structures, particularly in tropical environments characterized by high humidity, elevated temperatures, and chloride exposure. This study presents a comparative evaluation of three commonly used concrete spacer systems: cement-based spacers, stone or brick spacers, and polymer-coated spacers. A qualitative, non-experimental research design was employed using data synthesized from established engineering literature, technical standards, and previous studies related to reinforced concrete durability and spacer performance. The evaluation was conducted through a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework using eight performance criteria, namely compressive strength, water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, durability, bond compatibility, ease of installation, stability during concreting, and cost efficiency. Each criterion was assigned a corresponding weight based on its relevance to structural serviceability and durability in tropical conditions. Results of the weighted decision matrix indicated that cement-based spacers achieved the highest overall score of 4.655 due to their material compatibility with surrounding concrete, superior bond performance, and long-term durability. Polymer-coated spacers obtained a score of 3.655, demonstrating strong resistance to moisture penetration but exhibiting potential interfacial limitations under thermal and mechanical stresses. Stone or brick spacers recorded the lowest score of 1.750 because of their high porosity, irregular geometry, and poor durability performance. The findings suggest that cement-based spacers provide the most reliable overall performance for reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive tropical environmental conditions. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate spacer systems to enhance structural durability, minimize reinforcement corrosion, and improve long-term serviceability in tropical construction environments.
Keywords
Bond Compatibility, Concrete spacers, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Reinforcement Corrosion, Tropical environments.
References
[1] S. Alzyoud, H. S. Wong, and N. R. Buenfeld, "Improving the spacer-concrete interface for bond strength and durability," Purdue University e-Pubs, 2016. (Directly supports your discussion on Bond Compatibility and the ITZ).
[2] P. K. Mehta and P. J. M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials, 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2014. (Essential for explaining chloride penetration and reinforcement corrosion).
[3] British Standards Institution, BS 7973-1:2001 - Spacers and chairs for steel reinforcement and their specification: Product specifications, 2001. (The primary industry standard for spacer performance).
[4] A. Seneviratne and S. Ganeshan, "Performance of polymer-based materials in concrete durability under aggressive environments," 2020. (Provides the scientific basis for your evaluation of polymer-coated spacers).
[5] American Concrete Institute, ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, 2019. (Justifies your nominal cover thickness requirements).
[6] I. Lapiro, R. Eid, and K. Kovler, "Degradation of RC columns under combined exposure to chloride-induced corrosion and axial loading," Materials, vol. 17, no. 5, 2024. (Relevant for your focus on column degradation in tropical zones).
[7] F. Muslim, H. S. Wong, and N. R. Buenfeld, "The Interfacial Transition Zone between concrete and various spacer materials," Magazine of Concrete Research, 2017. (Crucial for your "Interfacial Adhesion" results).
[8] J. Wang et al., "Weathering resistance of novel sustainable prefabricated thermal insulation wall," Frontiers in Materials, vol. 11, 2024. (Supports your findings on thermal stability and environmental stressors).
[9] A. Gojević et al., "Resistance of concrete with crystalline hydrophilic additives to chloride penetration," Applied Sciences, vol. 14, 2024. (Supports your results on chloride resistance).
[10] Swiss Re, "Building resilience to climate events: Devastating storms and extreme precipitation," 2023. (Contextualizes the extreme weather stressors in tropical environments).
How to cite this paper
@article{1718027,
author = {Alelie Joy C. Alejo, Kevin Lester L. Mabalay, Frances Margaret C. Pascual, Jhonwel C. San Pedro},
title = {Comparative Evaluation of Concrete Spacer Systems for Reinforced Concrete Structures in Tropical Environments},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {11},
pages = {3513-3520},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1718027.pdf},
abstract = {Concrete spacers play a critical role in maintaining the required concrete cover and ensuring the durability of reinforced concrete structures, particularly in tropical environments characterized by high humidity, elevated temperatures, and chloride exposure. This study presents a comparative evaluation of three commonly used concrete spacer systems: cement-based spacers, stone or brick spacers, and polymer-coated spacers. A qualitative, non-experimental research design was employed using data synthesized from established engineering literature, technical standards, and previous studies related to reinforced concrete durability and spacer performance. The evaluation was conducted through a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework using eight performance criteria, namely compressive strength, water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, durability, bond compatibility, ease of installation, stability during concreting, and cost efficiency. Each criterion was assigned a corresponding weight based on its relevance to structural serviceability and durability in tropical conditions. Results of the weighted decision matrix indicated that cement-based spacers achieved the highest overall score of 4.655 due to their material compatibility with surrounding concrete, superior bond performance, and long-term durability. Polymer-coated spacers obtained a score of 3.655, demonstrating strong resistance to moisture penetration but exhibiting potential interfacial limitations under thermal and mechanical stresses. Stone or brick spacers recorded the lowest score of 1.750 because of their high porosity, irregular geometry, and poor durability performance. The findings suggest that cement-based spacers provide the most reliable overall performance for reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive tropical environmental conditions. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate spacer systems to enhance structural durability, minimize reinforcement corrosion, and improve long-term serviceability in tropical construction environments.},
keywords = {Bond Compatibility, Concrete spacers, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Reinforcement Corrosion, Tropical environments.},
month = {May},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I11-1718027}
}