Codes and standards are developed for use by design professionals; however, the use of codes and standards significantly impacts Owners and Contractors. The ACI 562 code was motivated by the poor performance of repaired concrete structures, specifically premature failure of repairs and limited durability of repaired structures. Development of the code was intended to benefit owners and contractors by improving performance and perceptions regarding repairs to existing structures.
Matching concrete sounds simple, but there are many factors that affect color, texture, and aesthetics. There is often a challenge with using modern cementitious materials for matching older and historically manufactured cements. Whether your project is historic or contemporary, this presentation will outline materials and methodology that are important to understand when concrete matching is important. With many mid-century buildings coming of repair age, this is a critical time for understanding these concepts. The presentation will include the fundamentals of concrete materials, how cementitious materials affect concrete color, how to use color measurement technology in developing a color match mix design, how aggregate exposure affects aesthetic perception, and other helpful tips when it comes to matching concrete for durable and aesthetic results. Regionally available materials will vary, but the methodology for color matching durable repairs is fundamentally the same.
Testing moisture in concrete doesn't need to be complicated. Five (5) currently recognized ASTM test protocols for testing concrete slabs for moisture will be explained using the "How and Why" perspective while providing the proper, yet basic, scientific context behind their usage.