Method for repairing steel-reinforced concrete structure

• US 7,306,687 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FYFE CO. LLC (Aegion Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Edward R. Fyfe
• Inventors: Fyfe, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fischer, Justin R.
• Application Number:
  US10/945,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20060060286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 156/94
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2023/0251 by using fiber reinforced plastic elements
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 23/0218 Increasing or restoring the load-bearing capacity of building construction elements E04G23/0203 and E04G23/0266 take precedence

Abstract

A method for repairing concrete structural elements reinforced with steel rebar includes steps of: removal of debris and rust; attachment of expanded mesh zinc metal for sacrificial passive corrosion protection; and overwrapping with flexible panels of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a steel-reinforced structural member against corrosion of the steel;

including the steps of;

providing an exposed portion of the steel reinforcement of the member for making electrical connection;

attaching a sheet of zinc metal to the surface of the member;

including the sub-steps of;

applying a first coating of an ion transmitting medium to the surface of the member;

attaching a sheet of zinc metal over and in intimate contact with the coating; and

applying a second coating of an ion transmitting medium over and in intimate contact with the sheet of zinc metal;

connecting an electrical path between the zinc metal and the exposed portion of the steel reinforcement; and

attaching a panel of resin impregnated textile over the embedded zinc metal; and

introducing a solidifiable fluid between the zinc metal and the panel of resin impregnated textile.

2. A method for repairing steel-reinforced concrete structural members that have been damaged by corrosion of the steel reinforcement, and for preventing additional corrosion damage;

including the steps of;

cleaning away and repairing spalled or cracked concrete;

removing visible rust from steel reinforcement rods;

providing an exposed portion of the steel reinforcement of the member for making electrical connection;

attaching a sheet of perforated zinc metal to the surface of the member;

connecting an electrical path between the zinc metal and the exposed portion of the steel reinforcement; and

attaching a panel of resin impregnated textile over the surface of the zinc metal such that a gap is formed between the panel of resin impregnated textile and the surface of the zinc metal; and

backfilling the gap between the panel and the zinc metal by introducing a solidifiable fluid into the gap.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of connecting an electrical path between the zinc metal and the exposed portion of the steel reinforcement includes the substeps of:

creating an electrically conductive, metallic connection between the zinc metal and the steel reinforcement; and

embedding the zinc metal in an electrolyte such that ions may pass between the zinc metal and the steel reinforcement.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of backfilling the gap includes introducing a solidifiable fluid such that the fluid penetrates the perforations of the perforated zinc metal and solidifies to become a solid electrolyte.

5. A method for protecting a steel-reinforced structural member against corrosion of the steel;

including the steps of;

providing an exposed portion of the steel reinforcement of the member for making electrical connection;

providing a sheet of zinc metal coated on both faces with an ion transmitting medium;

attaching the sheet of coated zinc metal to the surface of the member;

connecting an electrical path between the zinc metal and the exposed portion of the steel reinforcement; and

attaching a panel of resin impregnated textile over the embedded zinc metal; and

introducing a solidifiable fluid between the zinc metal and the panel of resin impregnated textile.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of backfilling the gap includes introducing a solidifiable fluid such that the fluid solidifies to become a solid electrolyte.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the provided sheet of zinc metal is perforated.