Structural or physical damage to concrete can occur during the casting and stripping process. The repair and rehabilitation of heritage structures has become increasingly important as people recognize the need to preserve them. As these structures naturally deteriorate, they become unable to fulfill their original purpose. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve them in order to show the development of architecture over time.
The cultural value associated with the structure is also taken into account when deciding the level of intervention. Maintenance is necessary to ensure that the cultural value is not affected, while complex structural rehabilitation is needed to increase building performance. Not all buildings are created equal, and therefore no two “repair jobs” are alike. Sometimes, a simple work of handyman will suffice, other times, there is a need for structural repair.
It is important to distinguish between structural repair and general repair, since the two terms are not interchangeable. With the increase in construction activities over the past two decades, many structures have already begun to show signs of distress. In some cases, repair measures are necessary even within a period of 5 to 10 years after completion. This can be due to poor quality materials, poor workmanship, lack of maintenance, atmospheric effects, abuse, accidents or natural disasters.
Therefore, adaptation of a concrete structure is necessary to extend its service life and ensure its durability. The rehabilitation process involves restoring the structural system as close as possible to its original position. The worn structure must be brought into line, leveled and with the required strength so that it can be put into service without jeopardizing its safety and usefulness. Leveraging the experience of a PCA member gives access to innovative and flexible solutions for a wide range of structural repair challenges.
When repairing concrete structures and surfaces becomes necessary, there are resources designers and contractors can rely on to make the process more efficient and safe, resulting in higher quality, longer-lasting repairs. General repair in buildings covers a wide spectrum and often people do not understand that some works are caused by latent problems (those that cannot be seen). This will often involve a structural engineer who can work closely with the contractor to deliver the proper repair. A coating may be applied to protect concrete from aggressive attack% 26 make the repaired surface durable for a considerable period of time. This may include work to restore corrosion to cavity walls, repairs to a leaky flat roof covered by membrane, or a balcony that is leaking, window upgrades to improve acoustic and heating dynamics or repairing concrete cancer. Invasive reconstruction and alteration of historical structures can often be minimized as the repaired building often shows little evidence of any intervention.
It is recommended that a concrete slab scanning service be used to detect structural problems early as they tend to get worse over time. It is essential that contractors with the necessary skills and experience are selected for the long-term success of any structural repair program. Courses are taught in a number of subjects including wood resin repair and wall tie repair. If cracks are left as they are, water damage can increase concrete deterioration so repairing concrete in cases of cracks is crucial for the life cycle of a concrete structure. Combined documents provide guidance that elevates repair to the same level as design and construction of new concrete structures. Another point why it is important to distinguish general repair from structural repair is that it can measure the time required for restoration projects.
