THE REPAIR OF ENGINEERING STRUCTURES

Three main notions are discussed: (1) many causes affect instantaneously or in the long-term the foundations or superstructures of engineering structures: calculation error, construction fault, lack of knowledge of the soil, chemical or biochemical corrosion, erosion, earthquakes, war damages, vandalism, changes in the environment or load distribution. As several of these causes lead to the same effects, it is necessary to find the real underlying cause and to select the most adequate repair technique before beginning repair operations; (2) as regards the repair of foundations new techniques have been developed during the last 20 years. As regards the repair of superstructures, decisive progress has been made thanks to synthetic resins. (3) the new products and techniques must be utilized with the greatest care. (TRRL)