Prior to commencing repair of concrete structures, it is always advisable to investigate the possible causes of the degradation. Nothing will be gained by carrying out a repair in haste.
Causes of deterioration may be divided into recurring and non-recurring:
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Prior to commencing repair of concrete structures, it is always advisable to investigate the possible causes of the degradation. Nothing will be gained by carrying out a repair in haste.
Causes of deterioration may be divided into recurring and non-recurring:
- If the recurrence of deterioration is acceptably low, then it is normally acceptable to restore the structure as nearly as possible to its original state.
- If there is an unacceptable risk of recurrence, the structure should be repaired and the fundamental cause of deterioration should be eliminated or controlled to acceptable limits.
Once the cause of deterioration is known, a decision on the extent of repair is required. This includes the parameters of durability, strength, function and appearance of the structure after the repair process is completed.
After the decision is made, the choice of repair material and repair technique are investigated.
Causes of the concrete deterioration of a concrete structure:
- Structural Defects: Design or construction errors resulting in stress cracking or foundation movement.
- Corrosion of Steel Reinforcement: Concrete deficiencies in cover, compaction, presence of chloride, rusting resulting in spalling (i.e. concrete cancer) or cracking of overlying concrete.
- Chemical Attack: Etching or softening of the surface may be caused by a