Course Catalogue.

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and diagnose the root causes of structural damage and durability issues in concrete.
• Implement advanced non-destructive testing methods to assess hidden defects effectively.
• Develop and design tailored surface repair strategies for various types of damage.
• Select appropriate materials for repair, ensuring compatibility and long-term performance.
• Enhance project outcomes by integrating cost-effective and durable restoration techniques.

Description
Concrete structures, vital to infrastructure, are susceptible to various degradation mechanisms that compromise their safety and functionality over time. Proper assessment and repair are essential to extend their service life and minimize risks. Participants in this course will explore the mechanisms leading to premature damage in concrete, including corrosion, frost action, sulphate attack, alkali-aggregate reactions, and more. Through an in-depth study of failure analysis and forensic engineering, attendees will learn how to identify potential causes of deterioration and understand their implications.

Focusing on modern methodologies, the course emphasizes non-destructive testing techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, ultrasonic methods, and thermal imaging to detect and analyze hidden defects. Attendees will gain practical insights into epoxy injection techniques for crack repair, fibre-reinforced polymer strengthening, and strategies for conducting condition surveys. Integrating case studies ensures a real-world perspective, allowing participants to translate theoretical knowledge into actionable strategy.

The training concludes with a focus on forensic structural engineering, emphasizing inspection planning, reporting, and repair implementation. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of diagnosing concrete defects, selecting appropriate materials, and designing cost-effective and sustainable restoration strategies. Engaging discussions and open forums provide a collaborative environment to share experiences and solutions.

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for professionals involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of concrete structures, including structural engineers, construction engineers, and project managers. Technicians, technologists, engineers-in-training, and construction inspectors will also benefit from the practical insights and advanced methodologies presented.

Facility managers, architects, and inspection officials responsible for the upkeep and safety of buildings and infrastructure are encouraged to attend. Additionally, professionals involved in forensic engineering, legal claims related to construction defects, and those managing restoration projects will find this course invaluable. Whether you are an experienced practitioner or looking to broaden your expertise, this course provides tools and techniques for assessing and repairing aging concrete structures.

Course Syllabus

Welcome, Introduction, Workshop Preview, Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Method

Day I

• Introduction: cement and concrete
• Causes of concrete deterioration
• Corrosion of embedded reinforcement
• Frost action
• Sulphate attack
• Alkali-aggregate reaction
• Dimensional stability (shrinkage, creep, thermal effects)
• Construction defects, faulty workmanship and excessive loading
• Shrinkage, thermal stress and other dimensional stability problems
• Examples and case studies

Day II

• Visual inspection
• Reading cracks
• Non-destructive testing methods:
• strength methods
• impact echo and other ultrasonic techniques
• Ground penetrating radar
• infra-red thermography
• non-destructive methods for corrosion inspection; surface assessment methods
• Concrete Surface Repair: Strategy and Economics
• Surface preparation methods
• Surface repair techniques
• Repair strategies
• Compatibility between substrate and repair material
• Replacing corroded bars
• Pinpointing and repairing structural deficiency
• Epoxy Injection of Cracks
• Causes and evaluation of cracks
• Technique and procedure
• Repairing cracks
• Case studies
• Repair Guide for Concrete Structures
• Materials for Concrete Repair
• Polymer modified concrete
• Fibre-reinforced concrete and shotcrete
• Elastomeric coatings
• Repair and Strengthening Using Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (FRP)
• Surface Preparation
• Repair materials
• Strengthening for axial load
• Strengthening for flexural load
• Strengthening for shear load
• Case studies and design guidelines

Day III

• Condition Assessment and Evaluation
• Responsibilities
• Checklist of inspection
• Inspection planning
• Documentation
• Field observations and condition survey
• Sampling and material testing
• Evaluation
• Final report
• Forensic Structural Engineering
• Implications of structural damage and failure
• Litigation issues
• Construction claims and the role of the engineer

Open Forum: Questions and Answers, Feedback on Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment