The Civil Engineering Contractor April 2018 | Page 27

TECHNOLOGY
Repairing deteriorated concrete and
restoring its structural integrity should
form part of the initial design, says a.b.e.’s
Warren Trew.
Included in major projects for which
a.b.e. supplied concrete repair
products and consultation, are:
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— companies that can offer more than
just the product but also provide advice
on its suitability, as well as the system
and procedures to be followed for
concrete repair projects.
“Among the most common challenges
of concrete rehabilitation are crack
repair, patching, using strengthening
methods (in lieu of repair) like carbon
fibre plate or wrap, and generally
choosing the most appropriate repair
materials for an effective long-term
solution. A decision should also be
taken on whether strengthening
methods should be opted for instead
of repair. Fortunately, the range of
concrete repair products available today
have made it possible to economically
refurbish structures that just a few
decades ago would have had to be
demolished and rebuilt. The input from
specialists in concrete rehabilitation
— and the selection of the correct
products — will avoid common pitfalls
of concrete repairs,” Trew observes.
He says a.b.e. Construction
Chemicals’ range of concrete repair
products is based on epoxies, synthetic
resins, silanes, and cementitious
materials. Applications include flexible
slurries and coatings for protecting
and waterproofing the concrete parts
of bridges, silos, buildings, and water
containment structures against attack
from their environment. “a.b.e. can
supply a wide range of products — as
well as professional advice — on projects
such as concrete crack injection, fairing,
reprofiling, priming, mortar repair, and
the rehabilitation of spalled concrete
surfaces, to name just a few requirements
of concrete repair procedure that could
save the owners thousands if not millions
of rands,” he states. nn
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Fish Water Flats sewage works,
in Port Elizabeth
Kanengo Silo Project, Malawi
Mondi Chipper Plant, Richards
Bay
N14 bridges between
Hartbeespoort and Lanseria
Omnia Fertiliser tank bases,
Sasolburg
Savanna City reservoir,
Sebokeng, Gauteng
Northam Plats Mine cooling
towers
Port Elizabeth International
Airport runway
Coal Tippler Project concrete
repair, Richards Bay Harbour.
“While there is a high level of expertise
that goes into concrete construction, the
skills, understanding, and experience
required to repair damaged or deteriorated
structures are decidedly different from
those required to build new structures.”
Warren Trew – a.b.e. Construction Chemicals
CEC April 2018 - 25