Sidewalks, Driveways, Patio Decks, Repair or Replace.

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There are a variety of techniques available for the repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures caused by failure in workmanship or defects in the concrete. 

 

As you know, concrete is the most widely used and versatile construction material, possessing several advantages over steel and other construction materials. Defects may manifest themselves in a variety of manners; cracks, spalling of concrete, exposure of reinforcement, excessive deflections or other signs of distress.

 

Corrosion of reinforcement (Rebar) may trigger off cracking and spalling of concrete, coupled with deterioration in the strength of the structure. Such situations call for repairs of affected zones and sometimes for the replacement of the entire structure.

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Concrete can fail under compression, tension, torsion or flexure. Any failure is possible depending on the kind of loads under which the concrete is exposed. As concrete is weak in tension, tension failures are quite prominent and one needs to study fracture mechanics to understand the actual manner in which concrete fails.

 

Material limitations, design and construction practices, and severe exposure conditions can cause concrete to deteriorate, which may result in aesthetic, functional, or structural problems. Concrete can deteriorate for a variety of reasons, and concrete damage is often the result of a combination of factors.

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Despite its durability, concrete can be damaged and degraded by a long list of factors, such as-

• Insufficient reinforcement

• Chloride attack

• Chemical damage

• Carbonation

• Weather exposure

• Impact damage

• Excessive loads

• Structural damage

• Fire damage

• Seismic damage

• Blast damage

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All structures, and all engineering products, will eventually fail overtime. Buildings, in particular, are not expected to last for a very long time without periodic maintenance. These periodic maintenance (which may occur for every 6months, a year or more) are carried out to put a check on all structural failures that could have surfaced on the structures during the time of its utilization (for whatever purpose it was built for). Engineers usually recognize the need to attend to failures on time before it results in catastrophes. 

 

Concrete Stairs Design Basics (Click for MORE Info)

When planning the look of your concrete stairway, don't sacrifice functionality for flair. The most important dimensions are the riser height and tread depth. They should be in proportions that will comfortably accommodate the average person's stride. Although the ratio can vary depending on the application, local building codes often dictate the minimum and maximum riser heights and minimum tread depth. The 7-11 rule is one that's frequently used (maximum riser height of 7 inches and minimum tread depth of 11 inches). Risers should also be at least 4 inches in height.

 

WHEN the Riser Height is:           THEN the Tread Depth should be:

4" to 4-1/2"                                       18" to 19"

5" to 5-1/2"                                       16" to 17"

6" to 6-1/2"                                       14" to 15"

7" to 7-1/2"                                       10" to 11"

 

Concrete Floor Information (Click for MORE Info)

Concrete has become the new flooring material of choice for designers and homeowners across the United States. Concrete floors are popping up in retail stores, trendy restaurants, offices, and homes everywhere. Whether it's acid-stained, painted, overlays, micro-toppings, radiant floors, or a unique personal floor, concrete floors offer a range unlike any other material. Concrete flooring, sometimes referred to as cement flooring, no longer has to be gray and boring. Now coloring concrete or applying textures, patterns, saw cuts, etc., can bring new life to this traditional substrate.

 

One of the major benefits of concrete floors is their affordability compared to other flooring options. Installing a decorative concrete floor can be quite cost-effective, particularly if you already have a concrete slab that’s ready for staining, polishing or application of a coating or overlay. A basic concrete floor will carry a comparable price tag to linoleum, vinyl, ceramic tile or carpet. While a more complex concrete floor design will run you about the same or slightly less than marble, granite, slate, or high-end wood. Furthermore, the lifetime cost of a concrete floor is very low because they require little upkeep and last for years.

 

A second thing that attracts business and homeowners to concrete flooring is its ease of maintenance. When properly sealed concrete floors can be cleaned with a quick pass of a dust mop. For an occasional deep clean a neutral cleaner and water can be used. The frequency of maintenance is dependent on the amount of traffic the floor receives. Restaurants and businesses with considerable foot traffic may want to use a sacrificial floor wax in addition to a sealer to further protect from abrasion.

 

Finally, people are drawn to concrete floors because of their wide color palette. Stained concrete is an incredibly popular choice for interior floors because of its warm, earthy tones. Concrete can be so naturally colored that it blends seamlessly with other elements in a room - oftentimes, you don't even realize it's a concrete floor you're standing on! While stains are the most common, other coloring options for concrete flooring includes painting, dying and the application of tinted sealers. Check with SGT Structural Repair - Bill Sargent - Owner for a professional decorative concrete installation.