Towards durability zonation of concrete structures under regional atmospheric exposure conditions in Asia

Asia products more than half of the concrete, faces severe infrastructure durability challenges impacting sustainability. This study implements a Durability Environmental Zonation (DEZ) framework to assess carbonation risk under general atmospheric conditions. Using ERA5 and CMIP6 climate data, we presented 50-year carbonation depths across Asia. Zonation was achieved by comparing the carbonation depth with a standard 40 mm concrete cover thickness, defining a classification factor ( β ) to delineate five risk grades: Mild ( β < 0.5), Light (0.5 ≤ β < 0.8), Moderate (0.8 ≤ β < 1.0), Severe (1.0 ≤ β < 1.3), and Very Severe ( β ≥ 1.3). Under the SSP245 scenario, Severe and Very Severe zones expand significantly; the V (Very Severe) area may increase over 30 % by century's end, especially in South/Southeast Asia. This provides a critical reference for location-specific concrete design and climate adaptation. • Proposes a zonation methodology combining environment action with structure resistance. • Asia's atmospheric exposure concrete structures durability zonation is established. • Temperature primarily drives carbonation; CO 2 concentration secondarily. • Mitigating global carbon emissions decelerates carbonation processes in concrete structures.