International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Repair Strategy and Evaluation of Materials and Methods for Rehabilitation of Concrete Shells for Two Natural Draft Cooling Towers

Author(s): S. Gebler, P. Nussbaum, W. Dziedzic, J. Glikin, A. Litvin, W. Bilenki, Jr., and J. Stefanik

Publication: Special Publication

Volume: 122

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 323-362

Keywords: absorption; coatings; compressive strength; cooling towers; damage; deterioration; dynamic modulus of elasticity; freeze-thaw durability; renovating; repairs; saturation; shotcrete; structural analysis; Materials Research

Date: 6/1/1990

Abstract:
Two concrete natural draft cooling towers exhibited honeycombing and freeze-thaw damage. This paper presents results of inspections and laboratory and field tests used to develop cooling tower rehabilitation repair strategies. Different repair materials were evaluated and tested in the laboratory. The repair strategy selected involved measures to dry out the marginally air-entrained saturated tower shell concrete to minimize future freeze-thaw damage and then replace concrete exhibiting honeycombing and condensate leakage with dry-mix shotcrete (gunite). The interior concrete shell was then coated with an impermeable membrane. Six materials for coating the interior shell concrete and two types of shotcrete processes were evaluated.