Concrete Remediation – How to Deal With Cracks and Deterioration

Concrete is a robust building material which can last a lifetime but as with any structure it requires regular maintenance. When structures show signs of deterioration they should be assessed and treated early to mitigate ongoing issues.

Every concrete remediation repair scenario requires a different approach. This is dictated by the underlying cause and environmental conditions that the structure is in.

Cracks

Concrete is the most widely used construction material on the planet and it can crack in a multitude of ways. These problems can impact on structural integrity, appearance and function. Whether the crack is dormant or active, it must be inspected and diagnosed by a licenced inspector to determine its severity and cause.

Plastic shrinkage/plastic settlement cracks generally don’t impair the strength of a concrete element, but they can be an unsightly visual issue. To minimise this type of cracking it is recommended that a quality concrete mix is used with shrinkage-compensating cements, adequate compaction and vibration of the concrete during placing, wetting the soil prior to concreting, ensuring concrete forms a good seal to reinforcement steel and that surface finishing is started as soon as possible.

Early age thermal contraction cracking occurs in large concrete sections due to high temperature gradients within the structure and can be found in structures such as dams, reservoirs, tanks and bridge abutments. If left untreated it can result in leakage, corrosion of reinforcement steel and eventually spalling.

Popouts

A popout is a small, generally cone-shaped cavity in the surface of concrete caused by the expansion & fracture of a near-surface aggregate particle. The cavity can range in size from 1/4 inch (6 mm) to a few inches. A portion of the fractured aggregate particle remains adhered to the point of the popout cone.

Physical popouts usually result from a porous aggregate that has a high rate of absorption & relatively low specific gravity. When this aggregate absorbs moisture or freezes under moist conditions it swells to the point where it creates internal pressures that rupture the concrete surface.

Some generic specifications specify aggregates with limits more stringent than ASTM C33 in order to reduce the number of popouts. However, this approach may not be sufficient for all applications. While an acceptable amount of popouts in highway pavement or bridge superstructure may be acceptable, this condition is not acceptable for residential concrete such as driveways & patios.

Flaws

Concrete is one of the most widely utilised building materials in the world and for good reason. It’s incredibly strong, durable and relatively low cost. However, its durability comes with a drawback: It’s there forever and is impossible to remove. This presents a problem should the design, pour or workmanship be substandard.

These flaws can come about for a variety of reasons from inadequate design, poor placement, under or over use, environmental impacts and chemical attack. Fairview Solutions uses the latest tools and methods to determine the cause of these issues and repair and protect the concrete from further damage.

We are a team of professional and experienced concrete repair specialists in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. We are individual members of the Australian Concrete Repair Association and the Australasian Corrosion Association and regularly attend seminars to stay ahead of the latest techniques. Our team is also a member of CONREPNET and can offer advice to structural engineers to assist with the inspection, assessment and repair of concrete structures.

Structural Damage

Concrete is an incredibly durable and versatile building material, but it can be damaged in many ways. From minor cracks that are aesthetically displeasing to major damage on walls, structural problems require expert help to assess and repair.

Structural damage can result from a variety of factors, including poor design, construction materials and workmanship, environmental impacts and deterioration of reinforcement materials. It is important to determine the causes of the deterioration so that the appropriate remedial methods can be used.

If the cause of the problem is found to be rusting steel reinforcing, it can be addressed by carefully removing the concrete and exposing the rusted metal. It is then cleaned thoroughly and coated in a protective epoxy. This will protect the rusted steel from further degradation and prevent further movement of the concrete structure. It is recommended that this is done in consultation with site engineering to ensure that the repair solution will not destabilize the structure or its environment.

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