Concrete Repair Glossary of Terms
Whilst it is becoming more and more common practice to install Fire rating solutions to new and existing structures, there is still some confusion regarding the products, methodologies and terms used by those familiar to the field. We have compiled - and will continue to - a glossary of terms which are used within the industry to help you understand what different products, codes and terms mean.
| Term | Definition |
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| Brick tie |
Brick ties are generally galvanised strips of metal used between the skins of bricks (in the cavity wall) to reinforce the structure and prevent wall distortion. |
| Carbon Fibre Stripping |
Carbon fibre stripping refers to the practice of applying carbon fibre strips (of different lengths) or bands to concrete slabs. This is done as these carbon strips add tensile strength to the slab. This allows more weight to be added to the slab, or prevents the slab needing complete replacement (situation dependent) |
| Concrete Cancer |
Concrete Cancer is one of the most prevalent structural adequacy issues. Unfortunately, concrete cancer is the first visible sign of a problem that has been impacting your building structure for a significant time.
It occurs when the steel reinforcing encased under the concrete slab/wall rusts due to water ingress. As the water leaks in it leaches minerals from the concrete such as lime. This chemically active water then causes corrossion to the steel. As the steel rusts it expands pushing the concrete out and away. This is when the problem first becomes apparent.
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| Dynabolt |
Dynabolts are anchors which are used forfixing to concrete, masonry, solid and hollow brick and natural stone. As the bolt is screwed into the wall, it pushes an encassing sleeve outwards creating a triangular effect. This allows it to 'grab' better and provide better anchorage. |
| Latent Defect |
This refers to defects within the structure which are not observed on the face of the structure and which are only discovered by investigation under the facade of the structure. Rusted reinforcing is often a latent defect if it is relatively new. |
| Lintel |
Lintels are the horizontal beams that support the weight of the wall above a window or door |
| Ponding |
Ponding is a slang term used by the building industry to describe water that collects at points other than outlets such as drains. Areas which 'pond' are characterised by large puddles. These puddles become problematic as in heavy rainfall they can cause flooding, or cause water to reach above the flashing on a roof causing water ingress. |
| Roll-on Membrane |
Roll-on membranes are a class of waterproof membrane used to protect a flat surface. Roll-on membranes can be used for either waterproofing a surface, though specialised products exist to provide chemical and non-slip resistance as well. |
| Spalling |
Spalling is the visible sign of concrete cancer. It is the growth of the surface (brick or concrete) due to the penetration of water behind the surface. Pressure applied to the surface causes the building material to come away in flakes or large chunks. |
| Structural Repair |
Sturctural repair is the general term used to explain that line of work which seeks to repair a building structure. It is not aesthetic repair (though that may form part of it) but refers to the identification and correction of structural issues so that the building can be returned to a 'new state'.
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| Torch-on Membrane |
There are two types of waterproofing available. Torch on membranes are one class of water protection applied to flat roofing structures. Generally bitumen based, torch on membranes are applied through the application of an intesnse heat to the back of the membrane roll. This melts the bitumen base, giving it a water tight seal and strong adhesion. Torch on mebranes are generally applied in 2 or 3 layers depending on the application and the environment. |
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing is the generalised term given to the practice of protecting a structure's flat surfaces to prevent water penetration into the building. There are two forms of waterproofing; liquid or roll on membranes and torch on membranes. |
| Water Ingress |
Water ingress is the term used to describe the situation whereby water finds it's way through a weak point in the building structure into an internal space. In it's simplest form this may take the form of a leak, though at its severest it can result in significant damage to the building structure. T0he ingress of Water does not always occur into internal and occupied spaces, it can enter the cavity where it causes latent defects to the building.
Water ingress may sometimes be worse in coastal situations where high wind and rain cause water to be pushed up into cavities and spots it may not have otherwise reached.
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