Condition Assessment of a Deteriorated Cement Works

Abstract

This paper describes the condition assessment of a 30 year old cement works, where some of the structures were clearly deteriorated. It was carried out for the purpose of obtaining material properties needed for evaluating strength and integrity, and for establishing durability. This was done by sampling the structures using the nondestructive techniques of visual inspection, perusal of drawings, ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements, covermeter surveys, and core testing. Core testing gave information not only about strength but also about sorptivity, carbonation, chlorides, and sulfates, and about the variation of some of these properties with depth from the concrete surface. Some new approaches were used to estimate the grade of concrete and the partial safety factor for reinforcement. The use of “twin cores” (surface and internal) indicated that the surface quality of the concrete was actually better than the internal quality. Recommendations for repair and maintenance dealt with (1) accumulated cement dust; (2) concrete deterioration; (3) areas experiencing elevated temperatures; and (4) waterproofing of the concrete surface.