International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Repair and Rehabilitation of Lae City Port in Papau New Guinea

Author(s): A. K. Aggarwal and L. Niap

Publication: Special Publication

Volume: 193

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 293-308

Keywords: concrete; carbonation; corrosion; pile; repair; restoration

Date: 8/1/2000

Abstract:
The paper discusses the methods used to ascertain the cause of damage to berth No. 4 of the Lae city port in Papua New Guinea and outlines the procedure followed to repair and rehabilitate it. The berth comprising of a concrete deck and supported on steel tube piles was built in 1970. By mid 1990’s, it began showing signs of extensive visible deterioration with widespread corrosion of steel piles and spalling of concrete. To assess the extent of damage, investigation was carried out in two stages with global visual survey in the initial phase and diagnostic testing at selected points in the second stage. The investigation revealed that the mechanism responsible for corrosion was chloride attack. Based on the investigation, remedial measures were recommended for the repair of the berth. The repair and rehabilitation of the berth has been successfully completed and tests done after restoration, estimate the life of the berth to have increased by 15 years.