Course Catalogue.

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

• Use visual inspection methods and select suitable testing techniques
• Interpret test results and assess the useful life of concrete structures
• Apply up-to-date knowledge for concrete repair and restoration, and evaluate concrete structures effectively
• Increase the durability of your concrete structures by understanding the causes of concrete failures
• Employ relevant standards and choose the proper tests for your concrete restoration projects
• Follow strategies for concrete restoration and decide if replacement of a structural member can be avoided

Description
The deterioration of concrete structures is a severe problem. There is a lack of guidelines and procedures for assessing, testing, classifying, and prioritizing preventive and corrective action to restore concrete structures.

In many cases, the evaluation of existing concrete structures is done by visual inspection. However, many defects are not evident either because they are physically concealed (as in underground components) or lie beneath surfaces (as in corrosion damage or cracking). Selecting appropriate and cost-effective rehabilitation measures is often hampered by limited information on structural defects.

Engineers and other professionals must keep abreast with the latest advances in diagnostic methods, materials, and techniques for rehabilitating and upgrading concrete structures. This course explains the mechanisms responsible for the deterioration of concrete structures, the methodology to inspect such concrete structures, and the materials and techniques used for their protection, rehabilitation, and repair. Participants will learn how to identify the causes behind the degradation of concrete structures, assess the associated risks, and mitigate those risks using informed decision-making and good repair and rehabilitation techniques.

Case studies and observations from real-world structures will enforce the learning process, and participants will have the opportunity to share cases they have encountered in their professional practice.

Who Should Attend
Construction and structural engineers, designers, owners, consulting engineers, architects, technicians and technologists, contractors, facility managers, construction inspectors, inspection agency officials or building managers with responsibility for maintenance or rehabilitation of both public and private concrete structures, manufacturers and suppliers of specialty products, and anyone who needs to learn about concrete testing methods.

Course Syllabus

Day I

Why Concrete Deteriorates Part 1

• Introduction: cement and concrete
• Causes of concrete deterioration
• Corrosion of embedded reinforcement
• Frost action
• Examples and case studies

Why Concrete Deteriorates Part 2

• Sulphate attack
• Alkali-aggregate reaction
• Examples and case studies

Why Concrete Deteriorates Part 3

• Dimensional stability (shrinkage, creep, thermal effects)
• Loads, workmanship, and other causes
• Examples and case studies

Monitoring and Inspection

• Visual inspection
• Reading cracks
• Non-destructive testing methods: strength methods, impact echo and other ultrasonic techniques, radar, infra-red, non-destructive methods for corrosion inspection, surface assessment methods
• Guide for making a condition survey
• Routine monitoring
• The investigation following the identification of the need for preventive action

Day II: Review of Day I and Preview of Day II

Concrete Repair: Strategy and Economics

• Surface preparation methods
• Surface repair techniques
• Repair strategies
• Compatibility between substrate and repair material
• Replacing corroded bars
• Pinpointing and repairing a structural deficiency

Epoxy Injection

• Causes and evaluation of cracks
• Technique and procedure
• Repairing cracks
• Case studies

Other Materials for Concrete Repair

• Polymer-modified concrete
• Fibre-reinforced concrete and shotcrete
• Elastomeric coatings
• Penetrating and film-forming sealers
• Moisture protection systems for joints

Repair 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

Case Studies

• Reinforced concrete and precast, pre-stressed parking garages: condition evaluation, load capacity evaluation, interpretation and rehabilitation, maintenance and restoration within budget

Adjournment

Day III: Review of Days I and II and Preview of Day III

Case Studies

• Bridge decks
• Exterior Walls
• Balconies
• Fire Damage
• Foundations

Forensic Structural Engineering

• Implications of structural damage and failure
• Litigation issues
• Construction claims and the role of the engineer

Presentation and Interpretation of Condition Survey Reports

• Responsibilities
• Checklist of inspection
• Inspection planning
• Documentation
• Field observations and condition survey
• Sampling and material testing
• Evaluation
• Final report

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

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment

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