The first step to effective, long-lasting concrete repairs is to effectively identify how the concrete has failed in the first place, analyse and minimise the cause of the tension and strain which caused the structural damage and remedy it so it cannot be allowed to happen again.
Because almost every major building and structure relies extensively on concrete for its extreme compressive strength, knowing the signs of failure helps to minimise repair costs whilst also preventing potentially serious collapse.
Whilst concrete is complex and many causes and types of failure are situational, five types of failure are particularly common, and many repair tools will focus on these five.
Concrete Cracks
By far the most common and visible sign of defect, concrete cracks vary in cause and severity, and whilst concrete will typically crack eventually due to age, how it cracks and the location of the crack can affect how easy it is to repair.
In some cases, small cracks can be fixed using spraycrete and simple patchwork. However, if a crack is particularly deep or affects a structural element, it may be a more complex fix.
Concrete Spalling
Concrete spalling is the breaking away of the top layer of the concrete, which can reveal the reinforcement and aggregate materials used in the mixing process.
If it is a relatively thin layer that has broken off, repair usually consists of surface patching, sometimes with the use of spraycrete. If it is deeper than a third of the overall depth of the concrete surface, however, it may need additional reinforcement.
Corrosion Of Concrete Reinforcement
The metal bars (rebar) in reinforced concrete are critical to providing the concrete with additional tensile strength to make the material viable to use in taller buildings, bridges and other major structures.
However, if the rebar rusts, the concrete becomes much weaker and can potentially fail. This often requires complex repair and replacement of the corroded concrete.
Concrete Efflorescence
By itself, efflorescence is a relatively harmless blemish that stains concrete due to the movement of moisture and the development of salt deposits, but it can point to issues that can cause structural issues.
Concrete Overload
Finally, if the load on the concrete is higher than the material’s ability to take the load, it can cause serious damage and risk collapsing the structure entirely.