The “Concrete Yearbook” is a very important source of information for engineers involved in design, analysis, planning and production of concrete structures. It is published on a yearly basis and offers chapters devoted to various subjects with high actuality. Any chapter gives extended information based on the latest state of the art, written by renowned experts in the areas considered. The subjects change every year and may return in later years for an updated treatment. This publication strategy guarantees, that not only the most recent knowledge is involved in the presentation of topics, but that the choice of the topics itself meets the demand of actuality as well.

For decades already the themes chosen are treated in such a way, that on the one hand the reader is informed about the backgrounds and on the other hand gets acquainted with practical experience, methods and rules to bring this knowledge into practice. For practicing engineers, this is an optimum combination. Engineering practice requires knowledge of rules and recommendations, as well as understanding of the theories or assumptions behind them, in order to find adequate solutions for the wide scope of problems of daily or special nature.

During the history of the “Concrete Yearbook” an interesting development was noted. In the early editions themes of interest were chosen on an incidental basis. Meanwhile, however, the building industry has gone through a remarkable development. Where in the past predominantly matters concerning structural safety and serviceability were in the centre of attention, nowadays an increasing awareness develops due to our responsibility with regard to society in a broader sense. This is reflected e. g. by the wish to avoid problems related to limited durability of structures. Expensive repair of structures has been, and unfortunately still is, necessary because of insufficient awareness of deterioration processes of concrete and reinforcing steel in the past. Therefore structural design should focus now on realizing structures with sufficient reliability and serviceability for a specified period of time, without substantial maintenance costs. Moreover we are confronted with a heritage of older structures that should be assessed with regard to their suitability to safely carry the often increased loads applied to them today. Here several aspects of structural engineering have to be considered in an interrelated way, like risk, functionality, serviceability, deterioration processes, strengthening techniques, monitoring, dismantlement, adaptability and recycling of structures and structural materials, and the introduction of modern high performance materials. Also the significance of sustainability is recognized. This added to the awareness that design should not focus only on individual structures and their service life, but as well on their function in a wider context, with regard to harmony with their environment, acceptance by society, the responsible use of resources, low energy consumption and economy. Moreover the construction processes should become cleaner, with less environmental nuisance and pollution.

The editors of the “Concrete Yearbook” have clearly recognized those and other trends and offer now a selection of coherent subjects which resort under a common “umbrella” of a broader societal development of high relevance. In order to be able to cope with the corresponding challenges the reader is informed about progress in technology, theoretical methods, new findings of research, new ideas on design and execution, development in production, assessment and conservation strategies. By the actual selection of topics and the way those are treated, the “Concrete Yearbook” offers a splendid opportunity to get and stay aware of the development of technical knowledge, practical experience and concepts in the field of design of concrete structures on an international level.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Dr.-Ing. h. c. Joost Walraven, TU Delft Honorary president of the international concrete federation fib