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Repair and Rehabilitation of RCC Structures

Conference Paper · June 2019

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 Repair and Rehabilitation of RCC Structures
Rathod Ravinder1, A.Vittalaiah2 and Akula Prakash3
1,2,3
Assistant Professor GRIET, Bachupally Hyderabad
rathod506ravinder@gmail.com, vittal1559@gmail.com and akulaprakash93@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The purpose of the project is to gain fundamental and practical understanding on concrete repair and
rehabilitation of the structures. Large number of reinforced concrete (RC) structure are deteriorating, often
prematurely, and need remedial measures to reinstate their safety and/or serviceability. Consequently, the need
for repair and protection has grown considerably in recent years. While costs associated with repair of
deteriorating concrete structures can be substantial, costs resulting from poorly designed or executed repairs may
be even higher. Repair methods need to be designed with consideration for the anticipated or desired remaining
service life of the structure. A distinction must be made between repairs intended to stop deterioration fully and
those merely aimed at slowing down deterioration processes for a limited period of time. During the research for
our project relevant repair methods for damaged concrete structures will be discussed, focussing on design
methods. The project will be initiated with various sites nearby Nizampet inspection and repairs will examined.
Then the respective repairs will be studied and classified into cracks, corrosion of concrete reinforcement,
seepage and deterioration of surface coating. With the help of journals and publications a detailed study will be
done on the causes for each repair and a suitable rehabilitation method will be suggested for each repair site by
comparing various methods. This paper will consist of studies of various repairs along with pictures, referred
case studies and other references.

Introduction
Concrete is the most widely used and versatile construction material possessing several advantages over steel and
other construction material. Very often one comes across with some defects in concrete they are in the form of
cracks, spalling of concrete, exposure of reinforcement, excessive deflections or other signs of distress. Corrosion
of reinforcement may trigger off cracking and spalling of concrete, coupled with deterioration in the strength of the
structure such situations call for repairs of affected zones and sometimes for replacements of entire structure.
Repair is the process of restoring something that is damaged or deteriorated or broken to good condition.
Repairs are performed on damaged buildings to restore the strength after disaster.
Rehabilitation is the process of restoring the structure to service level, once it involves the upgrading or
changing of a building’s foundation in support of changes desired, its use, design goals or regulatory requirements.
Assessing the existing condition of the structure and deciding which component of the structure should be repaired
or restored based on all future requirement of the structure. Need for repair and rehabilitation of structures:
• Faulty design of the structure
• Improper execution and bad workmanship
• Extreme weathering and environmental conditions
• High degree of chemical attack
• Ageing of structures.

Methods and Materials

CRACKS: Cracks in building are of common occurrence. A building component develops cracks when stress
exceeds strength. Cracks are of two types:
1. STRUCTURAL: Structural ones are due to faulty design, faulty construction or overloading which may
endanger safety or buildings.
2. NON-STRUCTURAL: The non-structural cracks are due to internally reduced stress. Depending on width
of crack they are classified into THIN (<1mm), MEDIUM (1mm to 2mm), WIDE (>2mm)
4226 6th Nattional Confereence on Waterr, Environmen
nt and Societyy (NCWES - 20019)

Structural crracks Non-Sttructural crackss Heaving concrrete cracks

Creep movem
ment Moistuure movement Settling concrrete cracks

Expansionn concrete craccks Thermal Moovement

Plaastic shrinkagee concrete
cracks

H do Crack
How ks Develop?
Cracks indicaate the deterrioration of concrete duee to uncoverable environnment arounnd concrete structures.
C
E
Environment c
constitutes PH
HYSICAL, CH HEMICAL AND
A MECHA ANICAL.
Physical agentts causing craacks are: tempperature, frostt action, concrrete cover, poorosity of conncrete.
M
Mechanical aggents causing cracks are: abbrasion, vibraation, impact loads.

Repair work for

R f Cracks in n Beams and d Columns
• Firstly, deetect the damaaged area by hitting
h with hammer,
h holloowness soundd indicates thee damaged arrea shoring
to distribuuted load.
• Remove corroded
c area of cement.
• Accordingg to IS code th he thickness of
o cover for columns
c and beams
b shouldd be 40mm.
• The chem micals used are ARMATEC CH-108 an annti-corroding chemical is to t be appliedd on steel reinnforcement
and SIKA A LATEX to ensure
e proper bonding withh old and new
w cement.
• Plasticizerr is added to decrease
d perm
meability and increase in sttrength.
 6th National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2019) 427

Corrosion
Steel reinforcement which is used in RCC, though on one side complements the concrete for its weakness in
tension (tensile stress), it also impairs the durability and longevity of concrete, due to its proneness to corrosion.
Repairs and rehabilitation of concrete structures, which of late has become an activity comparable to construction
itself worldwide, is mostly because deterioration of concrete due to corrosion of embedded steel.
In the earlier part of this century when the Reinforced Concrete Construction began to be widely used, replacing
almost completely the hitherto used construction materials viz. Timber, (stone) Masonry and steel sections etc., the
life expectation of the R. C. structures was of the order of 100 years. However, at the turn of century we find these
expectations belied and ironically newer constructions say 20 to 25 years old, show serious deterioration and
distress.
The durability of concrete has become a highly discussed topic in global development. Even though several
factors are responsible for early distress in reinforced concrete structures it is observed that in majority of cases, it
is because of the corrosion of steel. The corrosion seems to be an all-pervasive phenomenon causing widespread
destruction of all types of structures in all countries across the world and has come to be termed as ‘Cancer’ for
concrete. Ideally speaking, a good concrete is supposed to provide adequate protection to the embedded steel. This
is due to the protective alkaline environment (pH value as high as 12.5) provided by fresh concrete resulting in
formation of protective coating on the surface of the steel, which passivates it from further corrosion.
However, over the passage of time, due to carbonation or ingress of chloride ions, pH value starts declining
slowly and alkaline surrounding of the reinforcement bar is lost, heralding the corrosion process, which in turn
causes cracks and spalling of concrete. It would thus be realized that the crucial factor giving quality and durability
of concrete appears to be its impermeability, which can be ensured by providing sufficient cement content, low w/c
ratio, complete compaction and curing. The same can be further improved by using proper admixtures and
providing increased concrete cover.
However, these measures are firstly difficult to realize in practice fully and secondly the same are not found
good enough in aggressive environment. Thus, it becomes necessary to provide additional protection to
reinforcement steel, especially because of chloride induced corrosion (worse than carbonation corrosion) which can
develop even in good quality concrete.
Most of the deterioration of RCC structures is mainly due to corrosion of reinforcement. Therefore, basic
understanding of corrosion technology for both durability of structure and rehabilitation work is a must.
Steel embedded in hydrating cement paste rapidly forms a thin passivity layer of oxide which strongly adheres
to the underlying steel and gives it complete protection from reaction with oxygen and water, that is from formation
of rust or corrosion. This state of the steel is known as passivation.
Maintenance of passivation is conditional on an adequately high pH of the pore water in contact with the
passivating layer. Thus, when the low pH front reaches the vicinity of the surface of the reinforcing steel, the
protective oxide film is removed and corrosion can take place, provided oxygen and moisture necessary for the
reactions of corrosion are present.

Causes of Corrosion of Steel Reinforcement in Concrete

Corrosion of steel in concrete is an electrochemical process. The electrochemical potentials to form the corrosion
cells may be generated in two ways:
(a) Composition cells may be formed when two dissimilar metals are embedded in concrete, such as steel rebars
and aluminium conduit pipes, or when significant variations exist in surface characteristics of the steel.
(b) Concentration cells may be formed due to differences in concentration of dissolved ions near steel, such as
alkali’s, chlorides, and oxygen.
The differences in electrochemical potential can arise from differences in the environment of the concrete.
Electrochemical cells form also due to a variation in salt concentration in the pore water or due to a non-uniform
access to oxygen.
428 6th National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2019)

Thus, one of the two metals (or some parts of the metal when only one metal is present) becomes anodic and the
other cathodic. The fundamental chemical changes occurring at the anodic and cathodic areas are as follows.
When there exists a difference in electrical potential along the steel in concrete, an electrochemical cell is set up:
there form anodic and cathodic regions, connected by the electrolyte in the form of the pore water in the hardened
cement paste.
The positively charged ferrous ions Fe++ at the anode pass into solution while the negatively charged free
electrons e– pass through the steel into the cathode where they are absorbed by the constituents of the electrolyte
and combine with water and oxygen to form hydroxyl ions (OH)–. These travels through the electrolyte and
combine with the ferrous ions to form ferric hydroxide which is converted by further oxidation to rust. The
reactions involved are as follows:

Anodic reactions:
Fe -------> Fe++ + 2e–
Fe++ + 2(OH)-- ------> Fe(OH)2 (ferrous hydroxide)
4Fe(OH)2 + 2H2O + O2 -----> 4Fe(OH)3 (ferric hydroxide)
(Water) (Air) 2Fe(OH)3 ----> Fe2 × O3 × H2O + 2H2O — Hydrated ferric oxide (rust).

Carbonation reactions
4e– + O2 + 2H2O ----> 4(OH)–
It can be seen that oxygen is consumed and water is regenerated but it is needed for the process to continue. Thus,
there is no corrosion in, dry concrete, probably below a relative humidity of 60 percent; nor is there corrosion in
concrete fully immersed in water, except when water can entrain air, for example by wave action.
The transformation of metallic iron to rust is accompanied by an increase in volume, which depending on the
state of oxidation, may be as large as 600 percent of the original metal. This volume increase is believed to be the
principal cause of concrete expansion and cracking. It should be noted that the anodic reaction involving ionization
of metallic iron will not progress far unless the electron flow to the cathode is maintained by consumption of the
electrons at the cathode; for this the presence of both air and water at the surface of the cathode is absolutely
necessary.
In the absence of chloride ions in the solution, the protective film on steel is reported to be stable if the pH of
the solution stays above 11.5. Normally there is sufficient alkalinity in the system to maintain the pH above 12. In
exceptional conditions (e.g., when concrete has high permeability and alkali’s and most of the calcium hydroxide
are either carbonated or neutralized by an acidic solution), the pH of concrete near steel may be reduced to less than
11.5, thus destroying the passivity of steel and setting the stage for the corrosion process.
In the presence of chloride ions, depending on the C1– / OH– ratio, it is reported that the protective film may be
destroyed even at pH values considerably above 11.5.
For corrosion to be initiated, the passivity layer must be penetrated. Chloride ions activate the surface of the
steel to form an anode, the passivated surface being the cathode. The reactions involved are as follows:
Fe++ + 2Cl– -----> FeCl2
FeCl2 + 2H2O --------> Fe(OH)2 + 2HCl

The factors influencing the depth of carbonation are:

o Depth of cover
o Permeability of concrete
o Grade of concrete
o Time
o Whether the concrete is protected or unprotected
o The environmental influences.
 6th National Conference on Water, Environment and Societyy (NCWES - 2019) 429

T ultimate reesult cracking

The g, spalling andd corrosion.

F
Factors Influeencing Corro
osion of Steell Reinforcem
ment
T factors whhich generally
The y influence coorrosion of reiinforcement in
i RC structurres are:
pH value, Moisture,
M Ox
xygen, Carbonnation, Chlorrides, Ambiennt temperaturre and relativee humidity, Severity
S of
exxposure, Quaality of consstruction matterials, Qualiity of concreete, Cover too the reinforrcement, Inittial curing
coonditions, andd Formation of
o cracks.

Repair of Con
R ncrete Colum mns for Cracks and Damaages: Before starting the repair
r of a conncrete columnn, the axial
deead load, axiaal live load, horizontal
h loadd and its assoociated momennts must be known.
k
Repairs to concrete colu umns can be divided into two categoriies. Surface or o cosmetic repair
r only coovers local
deeterioration and
a structuraal repair restoores or strenngthens the affected
a coluumns. If the deteriorationn does not
siignificantly reeduce the cross section, thee conventionaal concrete repair can succcessfully be em
mployed.

M
Methods of Sttrengthening
g Concrete Columns
C
Column strenggthening is a process used to add or resstore ultimatee load capacitty of reinforceed concrete columns.
C c It
iss used for seissmic retrofittiing, supportinng additional live load or dead
d load thatt not includedd in the originnal design,
too relieve streesses generateed by designn or construction errors, or o to restore original loadd capacity too damaged
sttructural elem
ments.
There are several
s techniiques which are
a used to strrengthen reinnforced concreete columns like
l reinforceed concrete
jaacketing, steell jacketing, an
nd FRP confiining or jackeeting.

R
Repairing Concrete Methods for Craccks and Dam
mages
Unloading Coolumns: unlo
U oading the column is necessary. Entire cross-sectionn of the repaiir column is capable of
caarrying the reeintroduce deesign load. Without
W unloadding, new reppair does not carry any loaad. Drying shhrinkage of
neew material reduces
r the sh
hare of the loaad.
430 6th National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2019)

Redistribution of the Load: In corrosion of reinforcement and concrete deterioration, Redistribute a load of
column concrete with alternative supports for repair.
Supplemental Reinforcing Steel: The supplemental vertical bar to fix outside the original cage with extra ties.
Provide adequate cover and Place Apartment’s bars outside the tie bars to increase column dimensions. Use
Hairpin ties, of stainless steel laterally to support the supplemental bars. Column ties cannot disturb at the repair of
the longitudinal bars as it causes buckling.
Concrete Removal: Remove concrete within a column cage and unload the column. If not, the longitudinal bars
are buckle and compression failure of column take place.
Corroded Reinforcing Steel: It’s not necessary to remove the corrode reinforcing bar with the reduce cross-
sectional area if the loss is supplement with additional reinforcing bars. The partially corrode reinforcing bars are
thoroughly clean by sandblasting to obtain the bare metal. The bars with excessive corrosion are replacing with
fresh reinforcement having full laps on both sides.
Corroded Ties: Replace the corrode ties by adding stainless steel hairpin ties that are anchor into the concrete. It is
often necessary to deposit extra material around columns to provide an adequate cover over the supplemental ties.
Low-strength Concrete: Where the concrete strength is low, resulting in insufficient load-carrying capacity,
several alternatives are available, Shore the column and remove and replace the in-place concrete. Shore column
and increase the size of the column to reduce bending stresses, and increase confinement on placed weak concrete.
Wrap the column with carbon- or glass-reinforced plastic. Install a supplemental column.

Conclusion
Every building has some life span after time passes certain problems arises like paint deuteriation, corrosion,
seepage problems, deflections in beams etc. Buildings will become unstable due to all these problems. So, repair
works should be done in order to gain the strength of the structure. Repair and Rehabilitation is necessary to save
hazardous failure of structures. It is recommended for old buildings which have some signs like cracks, corrosion
of embedded materials, etc. Therefore, timely maintenance of structures is required. Most of the olden structures
are given strength by doing process of repair and rehabilitation like Charminar.The selection of technique is used as
per cost, location of site and other factors. Thus, for proper maintenance, the techniques likewise

References
Critical chloride content in reinforced concrete—a review -Ueli Angst, Bernhard Elsener, Claus K Larsen, Øystein Vennesland
Cement and concrete research 39 (12), 1122-1138, 2009
Recent Advances in Repair and Rehabilitation of RCC
Structures with Non-metallic Fibers -Abhijit Mukherjeel, Mangesh Joshi2
Structural rehabilitation of columns with reinforced concrete jacketing E S Ju´lio1, F Branco2 and V D Silva1 1 FCTUC,
Coimbra, Portugal 2 IST, Lisboa, Portugal
Handbook of Repair and Rehabilitation of RCC Buildings.
Analysis of repairs and rehabilitation of R.C.C Structures
Chajlani Jeetendra (MTech scholar Civil Engg. Department RGPV Bhopal (M.P.)), Kushvaha Suresh (HOD Civil Engg.
Department RGPV Bhopal (M.P.)), Hussain Aslam (Asst. Prof. Civil Engg. Department RGPV Bhopal (M.P.))

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