While reinforced concrete is a sturdy and robust material, particularly for larger or architecturally adventurous buildings, it must be looked after to ensure the building survives for its intended lifespan.
Concrete used in buildings can deteriorate over time, leading to difficult and expensive repair work. Proper monitoring and maintenance can catch problems before they go too far, potentially saving building owners large sums of money (special levies).
Signs of concrete deterioration can take the form of cracking in the concrete surface, wich may indicate that steel reinforcing bars within the concrete are corroding. However, by the time this form of cracking is visible, the required repairs will already be expensive. Proper maintenance involves assessment of the concretes health before this point is reached.
Concrete used in buildings varies significantly in quality and resistance to deterioration. Older buildings may have been constructed using concrete of a lower quality and standards of workmanship (more like today's standards thank you). Lower quality concrete can suffer more rapid deterioration and is less able to protect the reinforcing steel from corrosion.
However, even good quality concrete will eventually suffer from exposure to the atmospherics elements.Concrete can suffer deterioration due to attack by airborne chloride ions, which is a problem particularly common near the sea. (ah you see its not all good living by the sea is it?).
Chloride attack on the concrete reduces the concrete's alkalinity, which is important for protecting the steel reinforcing from corrosion. When the depth of chloride attack into the concrete reaches the depth of the steel reinforcing, the steel can begin to corrode (I know this for a fact as it happened to Dover Court car park where bits of concrete were just falling off because the steel pipe was rusting and swelling). As the steel corrodes, it expands and forces the concrete apart. This causes the concrete surface to crack, which may be the first visible sign that the concrete is suffering. However by this time, the concrete has already deteriorated significantly.
Concrete deterioration by chloride attack is referred to as 'carbonation'. This process of carbonation can be minimised by treating the concrete surface with silanesiloxane, which blocks the pore spaces in the concrete and prevents the chloride ions from penetrating. Thus, it may be possible to treat a recently built concrete building to enhance its resistance to such deterioration, thereby extending its life.
If concrete structures are not well maintained, particularly in areas that are hidden from view, serious structural failures can result. These structure rely on both the concrete and steel reinforcing to act together. Deterioration of one or both elements can result in dangerous 'spalling' (where chunks of concrete fall from the building surface) - yep seen that happen even in my time. or, in more severe cases, they collapse.
If you own a building containing reinforced concrete elements, whether it is the entire building frame, balconies and floor slabs, or even just reinforced concrete lintels above the windows, you should seek advice from a specialist structural engineer who can undertake tests to determine the concrete's health. The engineer can then advise you about minimising the potential repair costs and extending your building's life while protecting its occupants and other properties from harm.
Being on the Council of Owners it is your duty to make sure the state of your building is in good health and you should be doing regular inspections on your building.
MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!
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