Reinforcement of old structures (Part 01).

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Introduction:

• Each structure is characterized by a lifetime, depending on the location of the implementation loads applied, the environment surrounding this structure and essentially the nature of the materials of realization.

• It can vary between 50 and 200 years in general and sometimes it can exceed this threshold.

• To study, the reinforcement of old structures, the essential causes and the remedy we must first start with some definitions that can help us better understand this technique.

Reinforced concrete structures:

• In North African countries, the most commonly used construction technique is the reinforced concrete beam column structures supporting slabs and transmitting the loads of these structures to the ground using the foundations that are variable according to the types of soils.

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• The lifespan of this type of structures that can not be maintained in the majority of the cases is between 50 to 150 years, after this period one notices the fatigue on the structure by noticing important cracks in the floors and the porticoes as well as vibration while walking on old slabs.

• For this, we are forced to choose between two solutions, the first is to demolish everything and the second is to repair what can be repaired the construction and this second solution is expensive but in the case of valuable constructions (heritage by example) it is recommended.

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The necessary steps for strengthening the structures:

1- Have all the history on the structure:

• It is to have the maximum possible on the history of this construction, the lifespan the technique used for the realization, the degraded parts the good parts the real problems is what the structure is tired or just it is necessary a superficial interview.

2- Auscultation and in-depth investigation:

• It is to check the state of the supporting structure by eye and with the use of laboratory tests (for example the coring or the degree of corrosion of the steels as well as the cracks in the structure).
• and especially do not forget to take pictures.

3- The reinforcement study:

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• This part is very important because the civil engineer before a detailed report with a maximum possible on the results obtained in the first and the second stage also is before two types of solutions the first is of neglected the existence of the tired carrying structure and to study the realization of another or to reinforce it by lining and its according to the state of the latter.

4- The estimated study:

After the strengthening study, and before making any decision a technical-economic study is very necessary for the decision-making between demolition and reinforcement for this the engineer after the completion of the study must estimate the costs of both variants in order to reach a perfect decision.

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Finally, after an in-depth study, the decision-maker or the client can make such a decision to be able to recover his construction, which after a perfect technique can last a long time after this reinforcement operation.

NB: the texts have been written by me.

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