METHODOLOGY FOR REMEDYING OF CONCRETE JOINT AT SH1

Item (i): The Joint is located inside a water retaining structure

We shall use SIKA LATEX®, a high-performance water-
resistant bonding agent and mortar improver to seal the joint and ensure the new and
old concrete are well bonded and act homogeneously when taking compressive and
shear loads. The bonding agent will ensure that any hairline crack due to the break in
continuity of pouring are eliminated after preparation of such surfaces as indicated in
Item (v) below.

Item (ii): Un-vibrated concrete at the joint

All un-vibrated concrete at the joint and any other areas with honey combs at or
adjacent to it shall be hacked off using a jack hammer and removed from site to give
room for fresh concrete to be cast. Such surfaces once hacked are thoroughly cleaned
and the bonding agent applied before receiving fresh concrete.

Item (iii): Loose aggregates at the joint location

Loose aggregates and all debris shall be hacked off using hand chisels and swept off
respectively and the surfaces thoroughly cleaned awaiting the application of bonding
agent and new concrete. Where there are steel re-bars the same shall be wire brushed
to remove any loose aggregates on them and the hacking done to at least 50 mm
adjacent to the steel to ensure adequate bonding with the new concrete.

Item (iv): Sections washed by rain water

The rainwater washed off the fine aggregates and cement mortar on the top surfaces –
such sections shall be hacked off using chisels to remove all loose debris and coarse
aggregates, thoroughly cleaned and treated as in Item (iii) above before application of
the bonding agent and fresh concrete.

Item (v): Cracks in concrete at joint and adjacent areas

The cracks shall be exposed by chisel hacking to create a V-shaped groove to the extent
of the crack, the sections thoroughly cleaned and treated as in Item (iii) above.
Item (vi): Laps for water bars at vertical joints
At one section the water bar did not have a proper lap and the same shall be hacked
and cleaned at least 300mm on either side of the joint. Only one face of the water bar,
where the piece to lap it shall be placed, will be hacked to avoid exposing the entire
joint which could otherwise be a weak point for water seepage. A piece of the water
bar, about 1000mm long, shall then be fitted on the hacked side of the water bar to lap
with the existing to ensure its continuity.

Item (vii): Pits filled with rain water

Due to the recent rains, the sump pits at the SH1 foundation were filled with rainwater.
To the already cast sections, the rainwater does not have any adverse effects but to the
sections yet to be cast we shall proceed as follows;
Pump out all the water and ensure the sump pits are free of pools of water, remove all
mud and loose soil from the sump pits and clean the already placed re-bars.
We shall also wire brush all the re-bars that have patches of rust on them to ensure
proper bonding with the concrete once cast. All the surfaces will be air pressure blown
to remove all fine and loose particles before casting concrete.

Casting last portion of raft at SH1

Once the Method Statement is approved by the Consulting Engineer, we shall execute the
methodology as indicated and seek the Engineer’s Inspection and Approval for concreting. We
have acquired more poker vibrators (total 8 No.) to ensure no part of the concrete is not well
vibrated during casting and also to coordinate with our ready-mix concrete suppliers to ensure
there is adequate and seamless supply of concrete as and when required.