REHABILITATION OF

7
REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

7.1 GENERAL ASPECTS

Buildings with reinforced concrete structures are largely used in most countries.
Although these types of structures have a high degree of safety, the cases when
intervention is needed to rehabilitate them are very frequent.

The causes of degradation of reinforced concrete structures are not few. The most
frequent damages are caused by defective performances during execution, such as:
 certain operations performed in cold or hot weather conditions without taking
proper measures to ensure the quality of concrete;
 incorrect disposal of the reinforcing bars in compliance with the execution
project;
 formwork removal or stressing of the structural element before reaching the
required concrete strength;
 use of low quality materials;
 failure to comply with the technologies when casting the concrete.

The group of construction errors that may have unpleasant effects on the reinforced
concrete structures also includes errors related to the quality of the adjacent works
like jacketing, finishing etc.

Sometimes the causes of degradation of reinforced concrete structures and of other

types of structures as well may occur even from the design stage. Some of them
are:
 loading underestimation related to the destination of the building or the
change in its destination;
 incorrect analytic modelling and calculus errors;

page 131
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

 structural errors, such as the lack of plastic deformation capacity (non-

ductile sections) for the buildings situated in seismic areas;
 conceiving errors related to thermal coating/insulations and heating
systems;
 accepting some inadequate structural systems suggested by the architects.

Damages are often caused by technological actions or the improper maintenance of

equipment and installations, sometimes accompanied by material aging. Most
examples of this type are found in industry, where damage may be caused by:
 chemical agents;
 poor maintenance of installations producing vibrations;
 infiltration of chemical agents into the groundwater and infrastructure
failure;
 technological operations that release aggressive chemical substances;
 excessive humidity and the absence of ventilation systems
 failure to comply with the climatic conditions (condensation) etc.

There are also other factors which, either by degradation in the foundation soil and
water infiltration as leakage from water supply systems, or degradation at the
hydro-and thermal level of coatings can make the structures lose their functioning
capacity (e.g. the loss of their capacity of retaining liquids in tanks or retaining
water at dams) or local failures into the structure itself.

However, most structural damages occur in seismic areas. The causes of reinforced
concrete structure degradation under seismic actions are very numerous. Many old
buildings, which have been subjected to a relatively high number of earthquakes,
have lost their bearing capacity because of material fatigue.

The concept of ductile design itself, which lies at the basis of construction design
in seismic areas, accepts minor structural damages during earthquakes, which will
require afterwards, interventions.

7.2 GENERAL REHABILITATION PRINCIPLES

Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures may be achieved in several ways.

However, the performance of the new system is constrained by a series of factors,
such as:

page 132
 Building Rehabilitation

i. the compatibility between the old system’s capacity of deformation and

that of the system acquired by strengthening each structural member;
ii. achieving the best bonding possible between the two members (the new
one and the old one) so that an effective loading transfer could be
achieved;
iii. the correct modelling of the newly created system;
iv. developing new devices to assess the new system’s performance and
behaviour.

The analyses on the increase in the existing structures‘ performance particularly

under seismic actions have resulted in a series of rehabilitation measures which
restrain/condition the increase in bearing capacity and horizontal stiffness in
relation with the increase in structural members’ ductility [7.1]. For the reinforced
concrete framed structures this can be done by several procedures:
i. using some stiffening panels or increasing the bearing capacity of the
existing ones, fig.7.1.a – the panels can be made of reinforced concrete or
masonry;
ii. using some steel bracings, fig.7.1.b, either locally, within the frames
or generally, involved in major structural areas;
iii. using some adjacent structures, fig.7.1.c – they may have several
roles, such as stiffening and decreasing the stress state within the structure,
leveling the behaviour of the building by diminishing the torsion effects
etc.;
iv. restoring the bearing capacity of the building by increasing the
bearing capacity of structural elements: columns, girders or joints,
fig.7.1.d.

For buildings on shear walls, the rehabilitation principles are generally restricted to
restoring the bearing capacity of structural elements by caulking and obliterate the
fissures/cracks with mortar or epoxi resin injections. In order to increase the
bearing capacity, if necessary, the following methods may be used:
i. performing some new structural walls connected afterwards to the
existing ones, fig.7.2, (the new walls may be built on either one side or
both sides of the existing walls);
ii. reinforced concrete jacketing on either one side or both sides of the
existing walls (by shotcretting);
iii. perimetral planking and member joining on intersections;
iv. using some adjacent structures.
page 133
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

a. b.

c. d.
Fig.7.1 Strengthening solutions for reinforced concrete framed structures

Whatever the case, the interface connection between the old and the new elements
is required to ensure their bonding and obtain a single homogeneous structural
system.

Since both the systems used and the damage affecting the reinforced concrete
buildings are of various types, it is difficult to decide which one is the best
rehabilitation solution.

Fig.7.2 Strengthening of reinforced concrete structural walls using new/adjacent walls

page 134
 Building Rehabilitation

Fig.7.3 Planking of structural walls

Although researches and technical studies consider the rehabilitation thoroughly

investigated and as very important, no best “recipes” can be given finally, as each
system represents a different case. Moreover, the use of one procedure or another is
imposed by technological and economic conditions.

7.2.1 Strengthening with reinforced concrete or masonry panels

This procedure is used to stiffen and increase the bearing capacity of the structural
system under lateral actions. If possible, the panels will be placed in door or
window-free areas and, at the same time, vertical continuity should be kept not to
create areas with sudden stiffness variations.

Currently, in areas without window openings, masonry panels wedged within the
frame border are used due to the simplicity of execution.

Wedging can be done with metallic pieces, fig.7.4.a, or with leaning masonry
elements, fig.7.4.b.

In areas with windowpanes it is recommended to use reinforced concrete panels,

which must be tied to the adjacent elements, girders and columns, fig.7.5.
Connection can be made with reinforcing bars introduced in holes, which might
penetrate the structural elements, or with conexpand connectors.

This device provides efficient interaction between the elements of the existing
structure and the new elements, thus preventing stress concentration at the corners
of the reinforcing panels.

page 135
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

a. b.

Fig.7.4 Wedging procedures for masonry panels

a - metallic piece; b - wedging with masonry

Fig.7.5 Connecting procedures of the reinforced concrete panels within the frame border

When the width of the girder is smaller than the width of the column, the
reinforced concrete panel can be placed laterally to the girder, by tying at the floor
level and connecting to the contiguous vertical elements or not, fig.7.6.

Both procedures mentioned above require efficient co-working between the initial
structure and the new reinforcing panels so that higher stress could not push out the
panel and stress concentration could be prevented in the panel-structure contact
areas at corners.

In some cases, when reinforcing is performed in the outer area of the building,
prefab panels with connector-type joints may be used and the joining are is filled
with mortar, fig.7.7.

page 136
 Building Rehabilitation

Fig.7.6 Connecting reinforced concrete panels introduced laterally to the girder

Fig.7.7 Connecting prefab panels [7.2]

7.2.2. Strengthening with steel bracing systems

Steel bracings are more and more used for the rehabilitation of structures made of
reinforced concrete frames. The main reason is related to the weight-stiffness ratio
and some technological aspects.

The bracing systems are metallic frames with bracings inside. The frame may be
fixed in the frame opening in several ways:
i. with connectors, spires and mortar, fig.7.7;
ii. with conexpand connectors and mortar caulking, fig.7.8.a;

page 137
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

iii. by means of metallic elements fixed on the opening edges with

conexpands, to which the bracing elements are linked with screws,
fig.7.8.b,
iv. by adhesion with epoxi resins, fig.7.8.c.

a.

b.

c.

Fig.7.8 Coupling bracing panels

a. with conexpands and joint caulking; b. and c. with an intermediate element

Fig.7.9 presents two metallic bracing systems utilised in Japan [7.4].

Recently, honeycomb-shaped bracing panels with metallic structure have been

recommended. The panels are made of a metallic plate with metallic profile
reinforcement, fig.7.10.a [7.4]. The system can also be made of units joined with
bolts, fig.7.10.b. Panel segmentation enables manual handling, thus enabling the
introduction of elements to the stiffeners inside the building.

page 138
 Building Rehabilitation

a. b.
Fig.7.9. Bracing systems [4]
a. classic bracing element with connectors and mortar; b. adhesion with epoxi resins

a.

b.

Fig.7.10 Bracing panels made of metallic sheet

a. ribbed panel; b. panel made of assembled boxes

page 139
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

7.2.3 Strengthening by using adjacent structures

This device is used only when the building needs expanding and the adjacent
building may increase the capacity of the ensemble under lateral actions or may
ensure a better behaviour under torsion effects.

There are cases when joining adjacent buildings results in an ensemble whose
characteristics are superior to the parts. In this way, by coupling, lateral stiffness
may increase.

7.2.4 Strengthening achieved by increasing the bearing capacity of structural

elements

Most frequently, the procedure used in consolidating reinforced concrete structures

is based on reinforced concrete jacketing, which can be applied to columns,
girders, diaphragm walls, bridge piers, piles, foundations etc.

Jacketing consists of widening the section of the construction element by providing

on both sides reinforced concrete jackets intimately linked with the original
member.

Jacketing is used both to prevent further deterioration of a construction element and

increase the initial bearing capacity.

Apart from these consolidation systems, several other devices are currently used,
among them those based on composite materials. They can be introduced into the
structure very fast and prevent the increase in building weight.

Various aspects related to consolidation devices are dealt with in the technical
literature [7.5], [7.6], [7.7]. The main aspects concerning the consolidation of
columns and girders are presented below.

For columns, the most frequently used local consolidation systems are [7.2]:
 reinforced concrete jacketing, fig.7.11.a;
 boxes made of sheet-metal, the space between the element and the box
being injected with cement mortar, fig.7.11.b;
 boxes made of metallic profiles, fig.7.11.c;
 hoop reinforcement with strips, fig.7.11.d;
 hoop reinforcement with cables, fig.7.11.e;
 table sheets linked with epoxi resins, fig.7.11.f.

page 140
 Building Rehabilitation

a. b. c. d. e. f.
Fig.7.11. Various procedures used to consolidate reinforced concrete columns
a. reinforced concrete jacketing; b. table boxes and mortar injections; c. boxes made of
metallic profiles; d. hoop reinforcement with strips; e. hoop reinforcement with cables; f.
table sheets stuck with epoxi resins

To some of these devices shown in fig.7.11, supplementary linking with conexpand

connectors can be done to improve the co-working between the jacketing system
and the initial system [7.3].

Some of the systems utilised for columns may be extended to reinforced concrete
girders in the same way and the joints linking the consolidated areas of the columns
to those of the girders must be specially detailed to provide proper jointing.

The most frequent procedures used to consolidate reinforced concrete girders have
flexible reinforcements, fig.7.12. Thus, cross-ties may be disposed by piercing the
plate, fig.7.12.a and b, or the core of the girder, fig.7.12.c. Plate perforation can be
done for groups of cross-ties, whereas core perforation for independent cross-ties
only. Technical literature deals with these aspects in detail [7.5], [7.7].

When jacketing reinforced concrete girders, care should be taken that the minimum
diameter of the stirrups would be 8 mm and they would be disposed at 10-15 cm
between them. To provide co-working between the new reinforcement and the
already existing one in the girder binding will be done with welded cover plates
disposed at 50-100 cm between them [7.5], [7.6], [7.7].

page 141
 Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures

a. b. c.
Fig.7.12. Devices used to consolidate reinforced concrete girders by means of
reinforced concrete jacketing

A “dry” consolidation device used with reinforced concrete girders contains

metallic profiles or boxes fixed on the existing structure with threaded assembling
elements (pins, conexpands etc.). In fig.7.13.a the longitudinal elements made of
angle sections placed on the lower part of the girder are attached and co-working is
achieved by prestressed double-ended bolts alone, which function as cross-ties as
well. The double-ended bolts are disposed in the same way as the cross-ties by
piercing the plate.

a. b. c.
Fig.7.13 Procedures utilised in the consolidation of reinforced concrete girders by means
of metallic profiles and boxes

The metallic profiles, fig.7.13.b, and the boxes, fig.7.13.c may be attached to the
reinforced concrete girders with double-ended bolts and conexpands. In order to
provide the best contact between elements, injections with cement mortar can be
made. In this way, all non-uniformities caused by the casting of the reinforced
concrete element may be corrected.

Since good co-working between concrete and metal can be achieved by sticking
with epoxi resins, this system is often found in girder consolidation. The solution is
used both to increase the independent flexural bearing capacity, fig.7.14.a and the
shear strengthening, fig.7.14.b, and for mixed situations, fig.7.14.c.
page 142
 Building Rehabilitation

In the third case, the vertical elements can be disposed continuously or

discontinuously as tie plates to take over the shearing force. This solution requires
special preparation of the concrete contact area to ensure flatness and the decrease
in thickness of adhesive layer.

a. b. c.
Fig.7.14. Procedures used to consolidate reinforced concrete girders with metallic plates
glued with epoxi resins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

7.1 Phan, L.T., Todd, D.R., Lew, H.S., Strengthening Methodology for
Lightly Reinforced concrete Frames – I, NISTIR 5128, Building and Fire
Research Laboratory, Gaithersburg, Nist, Feb., 1993.
7.2 Goel, C.S., Seismic Upgrading of Reinforced Concrete Frames with Steel
Elements, Proceedings, Workshop on the Seismic Rehabilitation of
Lightly Reinforced Concrete Frames, Gaithersburg, June, 1995.
7.3 Jirsa, J.O., Use of Steel Elements in Rehabilitation of RC Frames,
Proceedings, Workshop on the Seismic Rehabilitation of Lightly
Reinforced Concrete Frames, Gaithersburg, June, 1995.
7.4 www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/techno/7
7.5 Malganov, A.I., Plevkov, V.S., Polishchuk, A.I., Strengthening of
Reinforced Concrete and Stone Members in Damaged and Reconstructed
Building, Tomsk, 1989.
7.6 Nistor, C., Troia., L., Teodoru, M., Minialov, H. Consolidarea şi
întreţinerea construcţiilor, Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti, 1991.
7.7 Arsenie, G., Voiculescu, M., Ionaşcu, M., Soluţii de consolidare a
construcţiilor avariate de cutremure, Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti, 1977.

page 143