Repairing concrete: random thoughts on concrete ills and treatment prescriptions

Concrete repair is a complex process that presents unique challenges that differ from those associated with new concrete construction. The repair project must successfully integrate new materials with existing materials to form a composite system capable of enduring exposure to service loads and environmental challenges. There is great need to improve the quality of concrete repair technology and get a better understanding of the various problems the industry is facing today. Understanding both will certainly lead to better practice. This paper expresses the author's thoughts on numerous issues concerning the concrete repair field. These include condition evaluation of existing structures, materials performance and research. The paper concludes that the status quo is unacceptable, the concrete repair industry is in need of effective changes.