Review of the Most Common Repair Techniques for Reinforced Concrete Structures in Coastal Areas

Asset managers are faced with the challenge of maintaining concrete structures in coastal environment, within the financial constraints of maintenance budget allocations, such that they remain functionally and structurally safe for the remainder of their design lives. For these reasons concrete remediation is fast becoming an important component of asset management in coastal areas. This research describes remediation techniques and practice currently being employed by prominent public and private organisations responsible for maintaining concrete structures in the Illawarra region (New South Wales, Australia). These common remediation techniques range from conventional restoration, cathodic protection and structural strengthening. The research also considers the underlying factors used to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques and practices. A model of good practice for concrete remediation in the Illawarra is developed from the literature and industry research undertaken. This model is developed for concrete suffering deterioration caused by the corrosion of steel reinforcement and is aimed to provide intelligent concrete remediation options based on sound principles and industry knowledge.