Cracking and Spalling Concrete

Concrete spalling, commonly referred to as concrete “cancer” is typically caused by low cover (reinforcement too close to concrete surface), poor quality concrete, moisture ingress, chemical attack (salt, chlorine, etc..), poor fixing details, or a combination of all these items. The cracking, drumming and delaminating concrete is caused by the rusting steel reinforcement expanding forcing the concrete outwards.
 
While at first concrete “cancer” appears cosmetic it is a potentially serious structural issue that requires rectification. If left untreated it will spread and propagate over the structure and may lead to failure or even collapse.

How to repair concrete “cancer”

Concrete “cancer” is most commonly rectified in the following way:

1. Remove all broken, damaged and unsound concrete.
2. Clean all exposed reinforcement to ‘bright steel’. While replacing any significantly damaged steel reinforcement like for like.
3. Reinstate the removed concrete with an appropriate repair product.

Our office can be engaged to investigate and prepare a detailed repair scope for your structure and assist through to the completion of the rectifications.

Concrete Repair Project – Newmarket (Brisbane), Queensland

Booth Engineers inspected the structure and site to investigate water ingress noted to basement and carpark. During our inspection we identified significant drumming / spalling concrete to an external suspended slab. This office further investigated the drumming / spalling concrete in-conjunction with a concrete ultrasound to identify the severity of the damage to the suspended slab.

 
A member from our engineering team created a detailed concrete repair scope in-conjunction with specialist repair product manufactures (Sika Australia in this case) to prepare an effective site specific solution. During the actual repair works, our office liaised / supervised with the Body Corporates selected contractor to achieve a suitable rectification.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office via email or telephone.

  

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For more information, or to get a quote, please contact our team.