Patch repair of concrete beams

Abstract

Repairs to reinforced concrete beams suffering from chloride induced corrosion necessitate breaking out concrete around reinforcement. Reinforcement and concrete act compositely where bars are exposed and the pattern of strains in a beam under load is altered. Props are employed to relieve load from the beam to minimise changes in the pattern of strains and ensure that behaviour in the repaired member is similar to that in the member 'as new'. Also, even in the absence of patch repair material, the ultimate loads of beams suffering from extensive losses of concrete cover and steel-concrete bond may remain nearly the same as for so-called perfect beams (i.e. beams with no damage).