FAILURE AND CAUSES OF RC STRUCTURES

COLONEL. P NALLATHAMBI
STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT
SAKTHI CONSULTACY, CHENNAI
CONTACT 94440 20706
PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
 PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
1. Mechanical Properties.
Compressive strength.
Flexural strength.
Tensile strength.
Bond strength.
Shrinkage and Creep.
Impact.
Toughness.
Fatigue.
2. Durability Properties.
Chemical resistance.
Freezing and thawing resistance.
Porosity and Permeability
3. Special Properties.
Adhesion.
Thermal insulation.
Lightness.
Abrasion.
Skid resistance.
4. Thermal Property.
5 Fire resistance.
 PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
1. Strength.
Compressive strength.
Flexural strength M/Z.
for pavement slab, run ways as flexural tension.
modulus of rupture is tested.
Tensile strength split test.

2. Factors influencing the strength of concrete.

Type of cement, aggregate and admixture.
Degree of compaction.
Concrete mix proportion cement content.
Aggregate cement ratio.
% of air voids, W/C ratio.
Curing.

3. Nature of loading i.e. static, sustained, dynamic.

Type of stress situation that exist, uniaxial, Biaxial.
 PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
3. Permeability

Measure of the ability of a material to transmit fluids, Permeability

measured as the quantity of water flowing through a given thickness
of a concrete in a given time.
With the age permeability decrease
K is low with lower W/C ratio or higher cement content
K of cement paste controlled by the capillary porosity of the paste

Permeability is important due to:

Affect the durability of concrete. Ca(OH)2 leaches out. Aggressive liquid attack
the concrete

In case of RCC, ingress of moisture, air will result in corrosion of steel.

The moisture penetration depends on permeability saturated water cause
penetration.

Important of water retaining structure, Hydrostatic pressure in the interior of dams

Capillary pore in concrete serve as a conduit or provide transport systems for
deteriorating agent. Propagation of micro crake with time due to drying
shrinkage, thermal shrinkage and extreme load will increase the permeability of
the system.
 THERMAL PROPERTIES
1. Study of thermal properties are important aspect while dealing with durability
of concrete. The aspects to be studied are:
Thermal conductivity of concrete
Coefficient of thermal expansion
Fire resistance
2. Thermal conductivity
It is the ability of the materials to conduct the heat it is defined as the ratio of the
flow of heat to the temperature gradient. It depends on type and amount of
aggregate, moisture content, Light weight concrete posses more air content, then
the thermal conductivity in less. Moist concrete has more thermal conductivity.
3. Coefficient of thermal expansion
It affects the stability and durability at different temperature condition.
Paste & aggregate has different coefficient. Paste has higher coefficient,
cause rupture of bond at the interface.
4. Fire Resistance
Fire resistance of the concrete depends on:
Capacity of the concrete to with stand heat
Conductivity of the concrete to heat
Coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete
Fire resistance is also depends on cover hydrated concrete contain force
Ca(OH)2 which loses its water above 400*C leaving calcium oxide cao2
gets wetted, expanded to disturb concrete.
 PROBLEMS
DEFECTS
IN RC DETERIORATION
STRUCTURES
DISTRESS
 DEFECTS IN RC STRUCTURES
Design defects
Inadequate structural design.
Poor design details.

Construction defects.

Deterioration of materials with time.

Upgradation for loading requirement.

Natural disasters.
Earthquakes.
Cyclone.
Fire.
Flood etc.
 DEFECTS IN CONCRETE
Poor design details at
Re-entrant corners
Changes in cross section
Rigid joints in pre-cast elements

Excessive deflections cause:

Leakage through joints
Inadequate drainage
Inefficient drainage slopes
Incompatibility of materials
Neglected in design
Error in design
Erosion in earlier repairs
Overloading
External influences such as
Earthquake
Wind
Fire
Cyclone
Flash flood etc.
 DEFECTS IN CONCRETS
OVERLOADING OF STRUCTURES LEADS TO:
Excessive flexural cracks
Shear and diagonal tension cracking
Shear bond failure leading to slide splitting
Excessive compression failure
Column surface spalling due to excessive compression and
bulging Large deflection
Cracks slabs
Settlement of foundation

In addition, the following common forms of defects in concrete

structures.
Corrosion of reinforcement
Alkali and sulphate attack
Displacement of the entire systems
Deformation of components
Malfunction of expansion joints
 CAUSES OF DEFECTS IN RC STRUCTURES
Occurrences from incidental to construction stage

This could be attributed to:

Local settlement of sub grade
Movement of form work
Vibrations
Internal settlement of concrete suspension
Stetting shrinkage
Premature removal forms
 FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF CONCRETE
WATER CEMENT RATIO.
SAND / STONE RATIO.
COVER DEPTH.
CHLORIDE CONTENT IN CONSTITUENTS.
MOISTURE CONTENT.
OXYGEN.
PH VALUE.
TEMPERATURE.
PERMEABILITY OF CONCRETE.
METHOD AND TIME OF CURING.
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF CONCRETE.
CRACK WIDTH.
TYPE AND SIZE OF REINFORCEMENT
BARS.
 CAUSES FOR DETERIORATION OF MATERIALS

1. Design and Construction Flaws.

2. Environmental Effects.
3. Poor quality material.
4. Over loading of structure.
5. Lack of supervision.

Drying shrinkage.
Temperature stress This may be due to:
Difference in temperature between the inside of the building
with its environment.
Variation in internal temperature of the building or structure.
Absorption of moisture by concrete.
Corrosion of reinforcement. This could be caused by Entry of moisture
through cracks or pores or Electrolytic action.
Aggregate action of chemical.
Weathering action.
Action of shock waves.
Erosion during flood.
CAUSES OF DETERIORATION IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES
Accidental loadings
Chemical attack/ Reactions
Aggressive-water attack
Alkali- carbonate rock reaction
Alkali- silica reaction
Sulfate attack
Corrosion of embedded metals
Erosion
Abrasion
Cavitations
Freezing and thawing
Settlement and movement
Shrinkage
Plastic
Drying
Temperature change
Internally generated
Externally generated
Fire
Weathering
 CHEMICAL ATTACK
The chemical attack on concrete is mainly due to dissolved salts in water or soil.
These salt essentially chloride and sulphate.

Magnesium sulphate is most harmful salt as for as cement is concerned.

Magnesium sulphate reacts with all the constituents of the hydrated cement and
with Ca (OH) 2.

The sulphate attack can result in disruption or softening of the concrete and
problem is very severe in sulphate bearing ground waters.

The chemical action chlorides on the concrete are mainly due to magnesium
chloride and sodium chloride.

The chlorides react with aluminates and form chloro-aluminates, which is

unstable in the presence of CaSO4 and thus translate in to chloride irons
enter in to the concrete.

It has been carried out sharp initial increase in the Cl-ions and SO4 ions
stops after certain period. Due to penetration of Cl-ions, chloro aluminates
are formed in the inner parts of the concrete

The Co2 Mg++ ions and So4 ion penetrate only to the outer zone of the concrete
while Cl- ions migrate deeper in to concrete.
DIS-STRESS IN CONCRETE
 DISTRESSES IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Distress classified as:

Structural
Non structural
Active or dormant cracks

Structural distresses are those which are due to incorrect design, faulty
construction or overloading and these may endanger the safety of a building .
Extensive cracking of a RCC beam is an example of structural cracking.

Non structural distress one due to internally induced stresses in building

materials and these generally do not directly result in structural weakening.
In due course, at time, non structural cracks may because of penetration of
moisture through them or weathering action results in corrosion of
reinforcement and thus render the structure unsafe.

Non structural cracks normally do not endanger the safety of a building but
may look unsightly creating an impression of work or a feeling of instability.

A crack is considered active if it is still in progress that is the crack is still

developing. This may be ascertained by filling the crack with mortar
observing. If the crack repairs, it is considered live, that is, it will increase further.
 DISTRUSSES IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES
The three basic symptoms of distress in concrete.
Cracking
Spalling
Disintegration
1. Cracking
Plastic settlement and shrinkage cracks. b Thermal cracks c Drying
shrinkage cracks.
2. Spalling
3. Disintegration
4. Corrosion of reinforcement
5. Alkali and Sulphate attack
6. Displacement of the system
7. Deformation of component
8. Lack of expansion joints
9. Distress due to cover
Spalling of concrete cover
Cracks parallel to the reinforcement
Swelling of concrete
Dislocation
Internal cracking
 Distress due to Fire Damaged Structures
1. Fire may cause different degree of damage to structure, if structure is
completely burnt, then the whole structure to be replaced. But if surface is
slightly dampened then repair is possible.
2. Fire effects:
a. Reduce the strength of reinforcement concrete structure
b. Deformation of materials
c. Reduction of cross section dimension
d. Weaken the bond between the concrete & rebars.
e. 1000-1000*c for the duration of 1-2 hr residance,
1100 1200*C for the duration of 2-3 hr Movie Hall, Stores
>1200*c for industrial building, warehouse, up to 1300*c.

Performance chart such as physio-chemical properties (corrosion, absorption

and degradation) mechanical properties (crack, creep, shrinkage, plastic
deformation) are the irreversible damage.

strength, stiffness of the concrete and steel decreases as the temperature of the
member increase and dimension change occur. It is based on type of cements,
aggregates and water content.

The stress due to thermal strain causes the beam ,column or slab to crack or
spaiI, reduce concrete areas available to resist the applied forces.
CONCRETE REPAIR MATERIALS
 ADHESIVES USED IN REPAIR OF CONCRETE
SOLVENT FREE ADHESIVES
1. Epoxy
2. Polyester
3. Polysulphide
4. Polyurethene
5. Silicone
6. Latex
7. Ploy vinyl acetate
8. Vinylacelate copolymer
9. Styrene-butadyne copolymer
WATER BORN ADHESIVES
1. Latex.
2. Polyvinyl acetate.
3. Vinylacelate copolymer.
4. Styrene-butadyne copolymer.
CONCRETE REPAIR TECHNIQUES
 REPAIR TECHNIQUES
TECHNIQES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING CRACKS
Bonding with epoxies
Routing and sealing
Stitching
External stressing
Blanketing
Overlaying
Grouting
Autogenous healing

THECHNIQUES OF REPAIR FOR SPALLING AND DISINTEGRATING OF

CONCRETE
Jacketing
Pneumatically applied mortar or concrete (ie) guniting / shotcreting
Repacked concrete
Replacement for concrete
Dry pack
Over layers
Epoxy resigns
Protective surface treatments
 REPAIR TECHNIQUES

STERNGTHENING TECHNIQUE FOR STRUCTURAL DISTRESS

IN CONCRETE.
1. For flexural distress in beams.
a. Increasing the depth.
b. Increasing the width.
c. Providing an overlay.
d. Bonding metal plates.
2. For direct shear in Beams.
a. C-clamps.
b. U-clamps.
c. Flats.
d. Bonding of sheet plates.
3. For Torsional shear in Beams
a. Steel plates bonding.
b. Ferro cement jacketing.
4. For axial compression.
a. Jacketing all around.
b. Increasing the dimension on one side.
c. Increasing the dimension on three side.
 REPAIR TECHNIQUES

BONDING WITH EXPOXIES

Cracks in concrete be bonded by the injection of epoxy bonding

compounds under pressure. Usual it is to drill into cracks from the face
of the concrete at several locations. Water or a solvent is injected to flush
out the dirt and foreign matter and allowed to get cleaned through this
process. The surface is then allowed to dry. The epoxy is injected into
the drilled holes until it flows out through the other holes.

ROUTING AND SEALING

This method involves enlarging the cracks along its exposed surface,
filling under pressure and finally sealing it with a suitable material.
It is the simplest and most common technique for sealing cracks and
is applicable for sealing both fine Pattern. cracks and larger isolated
defects. The cracks should be dormant unless they are opened up
enough to put in a substantial patch in which case the repair
may be more property termed as Blanketing.
STITCHING
EXTERNAL STRESSING
 BLANKETING

Blanketing is similar to routing and sealing but used on a large scale and
applicable for sealing both active and dormant cracks and joints.

Types of Blanket joints.

Type I An elastic sealant filled joint. Where an elastic sealant is used, the
sealant material is one which returns to its original shape when the extremely
induced stress is removed.

Type II A mastic filled joint. This is similar to the elastic sealant except that the
bond breaker is omitted and the sealant is bonded to he bottom as well as to the
sides of the chase. The sealant is a mastic rather than a compound with elastic
properties. They are used where the anticipated movements are small.

Type III A mortar plugged joint.

Type IV A crimped water bar.

 GROUTING

Grouting can be performed in a similar manner as the injection of an epoxy,

However the use of an epoxy is the better solution except where considerations
for fire resistance or cold weather prevent such use, in which case grouting is
the comparable alternative.

An alternative and better method is to drill down the length of the crack and
grout it so as to form a key.

This is applicable only when the crack runs approximately in a straight line
and are accessible at one end. The grout key functions to prevent relative
transverse movements of the sections of concrete adjacent to the crack.

It also prevents leakage through the crack.

JACKETING
Jacketing consists of restoring or increasing the section of an existing member
by encasing it in a new concrete.

This method is useful for protection of a section against further deterioration by

providing additional strengthening to the member.
 OVERLAYS
Overlays may be used to restore a spaling or disintegrated surface or to
protect the existing concrete from the attack of aggressive agents.

Overlays used for this purpose include concrete or mortar, bituminous

compounds etc. Epoxies should be used to bond the overlays tothe
existing concrete surface.

For overlays following are used.

Pneumatically applied mortar
Sand Cement slurry
Epoxy resins
Bituminous coating
Ferro cement
 OVERLAYS
Overlays are used to seal cracks.

They are useful and desirable where there are large numbers of cracks
and treatment of each individual defect would be too expensive.

Overlay for active cracks. Sealing of active cracks by the use of an overlay
should be extensible but not flexible.

Overlay for dormant cracks. Any type of overlay may be used to seal the
dormant type of cracks.
 GUNITE or SHOTCRETE

Gunite can be defined as mortar conveyed through a hose and

pneumatically projected at a high velocity on to the surface. The force
of jet impacting on the surface compact the material.

a. Dry process. b. Wet process.

1. Cement and Sand are thoroughly mixed.

2. Mixture is fed into a special mechanical feeder known as gun.
3. The mixture is metered in to the delivery hose by a feed wheel.
4. This material is carried by compressed air through the delivery
hose to a special nozzle.
5. The nozzle is fitted inside with a perforated manifold through which
water is sprayed under pressure and intimately mixed with the
sand / cement jet.
6. The wet mortar is jetted from the nozzle at high velocity on to the
surface. Rate 15 m3 / hou.r
(Maximum in the case of dry process for plastering works, Ferro
cement, Crack repairing etc) .
 STRENGTHENING OF COLUMN MEMBERS
For axial compression distress on the concrete

Jacketing all round.

Increasing the dimension on one side.
Increasing the dimension on three sides.

Column jacking &collars: repair of deteriorated concrete column

material used metal fiber plastic etc. jacking material secured by
bolts screw dowels.

Badly damping column: additional vertical steel, binding media is

required.

Additional reinforcement plus granite place ring at the at the outer

face, concrete with form work. bonding is ensured by the drilling of
the holes 50mmdia in the old concrete and placing dowel bar in
epoxy.
 STRENGTHENING OF COLUMN MEMBERS

Enlargement is the
placement of additional
concrete and
reinforcing steel on an
existing structural
member.
Beams, slabs, columns,
and walls, if necessary,
can be enlarged to add
stiffness or load-
carrying capacity.
Jacketing a concrete column
 Methods of FRP strengthening for RC columns

a wrapping of fabric; b partially wrapping with strips; c prefabricated jackets; d

spiral rings; e automated winding; f resin infusion.
 Concrete Jackets
In most cases, the
enlargement must be
bonded to the existing
concrete to create a
monolithic member for
additional shear or flexural
capacity.
 Column Compressive strengthening by
Section Enlargement
Enlarging the cross
section of an existing
column will strengthen the
column by increasing its
load carrying capacity.

A column can be enlarged

in various configurations.
The drying shrinkage
effects in the concrete used
to enlarge the column must
be considered.
 STRENGTHENING OF BEAM MEMBERS
For flexural distress in beams
Increasing the depth
Increasing width
Providing an overlay
Bonding metal plate

For distress due to direct shear in beam

Use external clamps
C-Clamps
U-clamps
Flats
Bonding of steel plates

Distress due to Torsion in beam

Steel plate bonding
Ferro cement jacketing
 STRENGTHENING OF BEAM MEMBERS

Fig. 1 Techniques of plating reinforced concrete beams.

 REHABILITATION OF BEAMS BY GFRP LAMINATES

Roughening of GFRP laminates Cleaning of dust

Sand blasting on tension face of damaged beams

Properties of GFRP laminates

Results
Serial obtained
Property Standard Unit
numbe
r
1 Tensile modulus ASTM D 638 N/mm2 2397.1
2 Tensile ultimate strength ASTM D 638 N/mm2 74.3
3 Elongation at break ASTM D 638 % 6.0