Preface

Author(s): M.G. Alexander, H. Beushausen, F. Dehn, P. Moyo
Paper category: Conference
Book title: Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting III (ICCRRR)
Editor(s): M.G. Alexander, H.-D. Beushausen, F. Dehn, P. Moyo
Print ISBN: 978-0-415-89952-9
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Pages: xix – xx
Total Pages: 2
Language: English

Abstract: 
This conference is the third in a series that ran in 2005, then in 2008, and now in 2012. All have been held in Cape Town, South Africa, and have been a collaborative effort between the Universities of Cape Town and The Witwatersrand in South Africa, and the Multifunctional Construction Materials Group at Leipzig University and the Leipzig Institute for Materials Research and Testing (MFPA Leipzig) in Germany. As in the previous conferences, excellent support has been given by researchers and practitioners from these two countries; nevertheless, this remains a truly international conference, with authors being drawn from 54 countries and numerous research and industrial organisations. This continues to fulfil an aim of these conferences, to strengthen relationships not only between Africa and Europe but also between countries and regions from all over the world.

These Proceedings contain papers presented at the conference, classified into a total of 12 sub-themes which can be grouped under five main themes:
– Concrete durability aspects
– Condition assessment of concrete structures
– Concrete repair, rehabilitation and retrofitting
– Developments in materials technology, assessment and processing
– Concrete technology and structural design

While considerable progress has been made in recent years towards understanding deterioration mechanisms for concrete in its various forms, and repair and rehabilitation technologies have advanced markedly, the fact remains that a vast stock of concrete infrastructure worldwide remains in a serious state of disrepair and needs substantial work to maintain and possibly restore to acceptable levels of service. The challenge still remains of finding new ways to extend the useful life of concrete structures cost-effectively. Confidence in concrete as a viable construction material must be retained and sustained, particularly considering the environmental challenges that the industry and society now face.
A large number of papers discuss performance and assessment of innovative materials for durable concrete construction. Interesting fields, some quite new, are covered such as self-healing techniques, high performance concretes, and strain hardening composites. The number of papers submitted on the topic of service life modelling and prediction of durability confirms the positive international developments towards performance-based methods for durability design and specification. Another fact that is evident from the paper submissions is that large advances have recently been made in the fields of non-destructive testing and condition assessment of concrete structures. The papers in the proceedings cover interesting new techniques for the assessment of reinforcement corrosion and their interpretation. Further, vibrationbased evaluation of the structural capacity of reinforced concrete members is discussed, representing a relatively new and promising technique for the assessment of corrosion- or fire-damaged structures.
The majority of papers discuss recent developments in concrete repair, rehabilitation and retrofitting techniques. An important research area lies in the field of specifications for repair materials and systems. Here, an integrated approach is needed, linking assessment techniques and service life modelling to appropriate repair methods. A number of papers deal with these important issues, confirming that the industry is on the right track towards efficient and durable repairs. Based on research reports and case studies, latest developments on repair strategies and materials are presented, ranging from surface protection techniques to full-scale repairs. Bonded concrete overlays and patch repairs remain important fields for most repair projects. Techniques and materials for crack-free overlays with sufficient bond strength are discussed. Numerous papers were submitted on the topic of strengthening and retrofitting, highlighting the need to cope with increasing loads and deteriorating structures and showcasing latest developments in FRP strengthening systems.
ICCRRR 2012 is dedicated to the person and work of Professor Joost Walraven who has made, as a researcher and as an engineer, outstanding and international contributions to the development and application of new construction materials, new structures, and structural models. Already at an early stage in his career, Professor Walraven recognized the aspects of repair and retrofitting of concrete structures to be major economic and technical issues for future activities in the concrete community. He has strongly supported the Editors in creating an independent international platform where researchers and practitioners from different countries and continents can share their knowledge and experience on one of the most future-orientated fields of activity in Civil Engineering. The Editors therefore take the opportunity to cordially thank Professor Walraven for his enduring and amicable support of the ICCRRR conference series and his substantial contribution to concrete research and practice.
This 3rd ICCRRR is also being held in conjunction with the Annual RILEM Week – the first time RILEM has held its annual event in sub-Saharan Africa. The African continent is on the move, and the next decades will provide great opportunities for expansion on this continent of science and technology, industry and culture. For this reason, it is timely that the RILEM Week is being held in Cape Town. We look forward to welcoming RILEM members to the 2012 Annual RILEM Week.
All papers submitted for ICCRRR 2012 were subjected to a full process of peer review, and the Proceedings contain only those papers that were accepted following this process. The review of manuscripts was undertaken by members of the International Scientific Advisory Board and other identified leading experts, acting independently on one or more assigned manuscripts. This invaluable assistance, which has greatly enhanced the quality of the Proceedings, is gratefully acknowledged.
Special acknowledgements are due to the following organisations:
– National Research Foundation of South Africa
– Deutscher Beton- und Bautechnik-Verein
– Cement and Concrete Institute of South Africa
– Deutscher Ausschuss für Stahlbeton
– Concrete Society of Southern Africa
– The South African National Roads Agency
– Deutsche Bauchemie
– RILEM
– American Concrete Institute
– Sika South Africa
– BASF Construction Chemicals
– Afrisam
– Mapei SA
– Chryso Southern Africa
– a.b.e. Construction Chemicals
– Penetron
– StonCor Africa
– PPC Cement
– S.A. Water Research Commission
– S.A. Department of Water Affairs

Finally, the editors wish to thank the authors for their efforts at producing and delivering papers of high standard. We are sure that the Proceedings will be a valued reference for many working in this important field and that they will form a suitable base for discussion and provide suggestions for future development and research.

M.G. Alexander
H. Beushausen
F. Dehn
P. Moyo

Online publication: 2014
Publication Type: abstract_only
Public price (Euros): 0.00