Concrete repair as an engineering task: An approximate solution to an exact problem

Author(s): A.M. Vaysburd, P.H. Emmons, B. Bissonnette
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: 312- 314
Total Pages: 3
Language: English

Abstract: 
The condition of the world infrastructure and the present economic difficulties demand high-end repair projects to be designed and executed. Some of these projects are underway, and there seems to be little doubt that more and more will be carried out in the coming years. However, at the same time, a large amount of repair projects are being designed and constructed based on sketchy, inadequate condition evaluation of the existing conditions. Such projects often result in premature failures. Durability planning and setting realistic service life objectives are impossible without comprehensive condition evaluation, which allows the ability to establish the exact problems and their causes. Repair projects are open-end projects with usually several alternative “approximate” solutions to address the problems of the concrete structure in trouble. For the repair project to be successful, the “approximate” solution must address the exact problem. The very best design, materials, and workmanship will fail if the exact problems of the structure and their causes are unknown and only the symptoms are addressed. The problems of repair durability and service life are discussed in this paper in terms of critical importance of comprehensive and reliable condition evaluation (pathology investigation) and durability planning prior to detailed design and specifications.

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