What is building reinforcement of a structure?
Building reinforcement of a structure
is the intervention made in the part of the building that has suffered severe damage or ruin so that they can be fully restored. This damage concerns reinforced concrete, deep cracks, part recesses, loose segments, conditions which may result from earthquakes, defects, or material failure.In existing buildings when the static, mainly antiseismic, check indicates that the specific structure does not include the required safety, then it is advisable to reinforce it by any technically appropriate intervention. Some of these interventions we take over are the following:
Resin Injections - Cement Injections
Resin injections
are mainly used for building repairs where weldingof reinforced concrete cracks which may have been provoked by various causes, such as material failure and especially earthquakes, are required.Cement injections
are used in order to repair cracks of wall from bricks, concrete or stone, which may have been provoked by the same causes as in resin injections.How are they applied?
Both ways of reinforcement have a similar implementation process. Their difference lies mainly in materials. The composition of cement injections is of cement, water and other admixtures. Once the material has been prepared, holes are opened, pieces of plastic tube are placed and fluid injection of water, cement, fine sand and resin emulsion is pushed into the tubes at fully controlled pressure (5atm), with the view to filling up the voids (gaps, joints , etc.) that exist inside the masonry.
In the resin injection process, firstly, the internal surfaces of the cracks are cleaned, using nozzles, to their full extent and depth by applying pressurized air, and then through a special container, which at the same time is a press machine, the technician delivers the mixture of epoxy resin in order to seal these cracks.
The Benefits of Retinal Injection & Cement Injections
Resin injections
The main advantage is the time of completion. Throughout 48 hours, the epoxy resin or otherwise epoxy paste, hardens by 100%, obtaining major structural strength much higher than that of concrete strength.
Cement injections
The main advantage is the quick and safe repair of cracks in old constructions or even in new constructions shortcomings. Withcement injectionswe can have complete wall restoration in the basements, easy stabilization of ruined grounds and masonry.
The shotcrete
It is a concrete of new technology that is better known by the English term GUNITE. It began to be used in Greece after the earthquakes of Thessaloniki in 1978.
It is applied mainly for repairs and renovations of buildings, for mantles of structural static elements (columns, beams, slabs) and for the strengthening of walls and masonry. Shotcrete has a high structural strength of 2000 PSI.
How is it applied?
The shotcrete is transferred ready-to-use to the site of its application and it is pumped through special equipment. The spraying is performed with the use of compressed air, ensuring a high rate of adhesion. The mixture is initially in dry form and, with the aid of pressurized air, it is pushed through a tube, which ends up in a nozzle. The minimum dose of water is added there and then, it is sprayed on the area of the problem
Advantages of shotcrete
- It is applied on conditions where access for repair is difficult,
- It has the ability to form any shape or outline without wood frame,
- It is highly resistant to corrosion even to corrosive chemicals.