The prevention of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures can be achieved by different means. The aim of this paper is to present the efficiency of corrosion prevention using silane hydrophobic impregnation, through laboratory investigations as well from long term field studies. The laboratory investigation was carried out in Zürich, is based on modified ASTM C109, where the product was applied on cracked concrete beams (before cracking and before corrosion initiation; after cracking and before corrosion initiation and finally after cracking and after corrosion initiation). The long term field studies were carried out over 12-years exposure to de-icing salts in a Swiss tunnel, and after 10 years exposure to a marine zone simulation in Japan. This paper will show that the use of a silane hydrophobic impregnation can be an effective way to reduce the risk of corrosion for concrete structures, including structures exposed to chlorides in a marine environment, or from the use of de-icing salts in winter time.

Repair and protection systems can have a positive impact on sustainability by prolonging the life of a structure and reducing the amount of new construction works. Over recent years, new products and technologies for use as concrete repair mortars and protective coatings, have been developed and launched on the market with lower environmental footprints than their traditional counterparts. To help visualise the environmental impact of these new technologies and products with improved environmental footprints, this paper will use a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of a repair project in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was completed in 2021. Two different scenarios will be compared and assessed – the first, is an existing product range for concrete repair and protection works that was used on the project, and the second is an alternative solution using the new and more sustainable technologies-based product range. This paper will provide an example of the positive environmental impact for such asset owners, by using more sustainable concrete repair and protection materials, by focusing on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Abiotic Depletion Potential fossil (ADP fossil) indicators.

El objetivo de este informe es hacer un análisis documental sobre las diferentes técnicas de mitigación de la corrosión disponibles en la actualidad, como los morteros de reparación, los inhibidores activos y pasivos de la corrosión, los revestimientos protectores y la protección catódica con corriente inducida o galvánica. Estas estructuras, construidas para durar mucho tiempo, están sometidas al envejecimiento por influencias de su entorno, como el agua, el dióxido de carbono atmosférico y otros elementos nocivos como los cloruros y la contaminación. El proceso de deterioro más común en las estructuras de concreto armado es la corrosión y la consiguiente dilatación de la armadura de acero, lo que provoca la fisuración y el desconchado del concreto.

The paper will show a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of three different refurbishment scenarios for confined tank structures at a waste water treatment plant. – One using a traditional Portland cement based repair mortar, one combining this cement repair mortar with a reactive protective coating, and one using 100% calcium aluminate based repair mortar technology. In order to evaluate the sustainability and potential environmental impact of each of the three scenarios, the Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) were performed, which included Cumulative Energy Demand (CED), Global Warning Potential (GWP) and Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP). The results are compared and analyzed in this paper, particularly in relation to extending the structural service life, which shows how innovative systems can give advantages to designers and contractors, which in turn are also of benefit to their customers.