×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Concrete Crack Repair
3

Concrete Crack Repair

Concrete Crack Repair

(OP)
I've been asked to propose a solution to a concrete cracking problem. A pile-supported concrete floodwall, about 9' high, was constructed around a site. To provide a working surface, the contractor had cast a 9" pad along the footprint with no joints. Of course the floodwall has joints at 50' or so, and cracks have formed in the working surface at each joint. I'm looking at how (or whether) to repair the cracks, the main concern is that the occasional water infiltration will allow erosion beneath the wall, especially since the foundation is fairly recent fill.

I'm thinking drill diagonally into the cracks and inject a poly-type sealant. Any thoughts?

RE: Concrete Crack Repair

The cracks are expected.  They are probably not wide enough to worry about enough water going through the crack to cause erosion.

Seal the crack with semi-rigid epoxy.  It can be injected or the crack can be routed to received the sealant.  You don't have to drill diagonally into the crack for injection.  It is usually done directly into the crack.

RE: Concrete Crack Repair

If water infiltration is a concern, look into using Xypex products.

http://www.xypex.com/

RE: Concrete Crack Repair

(OP)
Thanks guys. Of course, one option is to do nothing, since the cracks are expected, but this is a high importance structure, so longevity is a priority; besides, I expect there to be a bit of movement / expansion / contraction, so the cracks will get worse.

I do think a Xypex product (FCM-80?) or similar sealant would be the way to go - something that would have some flexibility to it, since the slab essentially formed its own expansion joints to mirror those on the wall above.

I'm thinking the procedure would be to cut/rout a groove along the crack, and inject sealant on in there. Fairly simple fix (said the guy who's not in the field doing it).

RE: Concrete Crack Repair

Not so sure I'd go with FCM-80.  Too much opportunity to screw up the mixing.  

Check some of the Tremco/Vulkem sealants.  W.R. Meadows Company makes a very good semi-rigid epoxy ReziWeld

RE: Concrete Crack Repair


Recommend the following reference:

Engineer Manual 1110-2-2502 Engineering and Design, RETAINING AND FLOOD WALLS, Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

http://140.194.76.129/publications/eng-manuals/em1110-2-2502/toc.htm

the wall should have been designed for both through seepage and underseepage. It should have a seepage cutoff. Waterstops should be installed between the monoliths down to the bottom of the cutoff. Alternatively, a sheet pile cutoff is commonly used. If this "pad" is below the bottom elevation of the cutoff wall, then who cares if it cracks. If it is at the ground surface, you have a big problem...

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources