Abstract
Concrete structures crack as they age due to deterioration phenomena such as carbonation, chloride attack, and freeze–thaw. Cracks may also occur due to corrosion of steel reinforcements, which can rapidly degrade the structural integrity. Therefore, this study uses strength and durability tests to examine the materials used to repair cracks in concrete; namely, epoxy, impregnant, and epoxy/impregnant. The results show that epoxy has the greatest strength; epoxy/impregnant is most effective for repairing carbonation damage; impregnant is most effective for repairing chloride damage; epoxy and epoxy/impregnant are most effective for repairing freeze–thaw damage, depending on environmental and physical factors, as well as the crack width. These results can be used to improve the quality of repairs and increase the safe operating life of structures.
Highlights
Concrete structures deteriorate over time due to physical and chemical processes such as carbonation, chloride attack, and freeze–thaw
These processes cause corrosion, which increases the volume of steel reinforcement and leads to concrete spalling, additional cracking, and a sharp reduction in concrete durability [12]
Deterioration phenomena caused by carbonation, chloride attack, and freeze–thaw shorten the service life of structures and, as mentioned earlier, they are all closely related to cracks
Summary
Concrete structures deteriorate over time due to physical and chemical processes such as carbonation, chloride attack, and freeze–thaw. Such processes cause cracking, a serious problem that accelerates structural deterioration [1,2]. Carbonation and chloride attacks penetrate faster when there are existing cracks; carbonation is accelerated by the increase in atmospheric CO2 caused by global warming. These processes cause corrosion, which increases the volume of steel reinforcement and leads to concrete spalling, additional cracking, and a sharp reduction in concrete durability [12]. Damage to concrete structures may be prevented by repairing cracks to prevent physicochemical phenomena and aging; this may extend the service life of the structures
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