ElectroTech CP Articles and Technical Papers

Structural Engineer, July 2009

For building owners and managers, one of the biggest issues is a damp or moldy basement area resulting from water intrusion through cracked concrete slabs and foundation walls. This is evidenced by the fact that structural engineers are often asked by architects and building owners about the cost to design crack-free concrete structures. Those with experience in concrete repair have found that structural and concrete mix designs must be coupled with exceptional field curing and placement practices in order to achieve “crack-free” or “watertight” concrete.

Not so ‘shocking' results

Structural Engineer, March 2009

Success with impressed cathodic protection for a National Historic Landmark.

Concrete Repair Bulletin, Jan/Feb 2009

Nearly two miles long, the 30-year-old bridge is subjected to an aggressive marine environment and is part of a major highway that runs along the coastline from Texas to the tip of the Yucatán peninsula. A visual inspection of the structure revealed that cracks had penetrated the concrete matrix and corrosion of the reinforcing was present and active. Since the bridge is essential for the community – and any detour would be hefty, the Mexican federal and local transportation authorities elected to repair it.

The American Institute of Architects, March 2008

Corrosion is present in historic buildings which utilize iron or steel in construction and can cause a variety of failures leading to masonry damage, the loss of original fabric, and even death. Traditional repair techniques can temporarily slow the corrosion process but do not provide a long term solution for corrosion.

Corrosion - Hidden in Plain Sight

Hydrocarbon Engineering, March 2008

Besides the catastrophic consequences associated with manmade (i.e., fire and explosions) as well natural (i.e., tornadoes and hurricanes) disasters, long-term degradation of the infrastructure should be anticipated and scheduled maintenance planned well in advance to keep costs low and infrastructure dependability high.

Power Engineering Magazine, November 2007

As the supply source for operations in power generating plants, water intake structures serve an important function. Because of the constant exposure to water - whether fresh, brackish or marine - these intake structures are extremely susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration. However, with an understanding of the root cause for corrosion-induced concrete deterioration and the technologies available to address it, plant and maintenance professionals can adopt the proper mechanisms and rehabilitation strategies.

Design Cost Data E•News, October 2007

Whether the job calls for rehabilitating a 1920s-era high-rise structure in a city's downtown or restoring a Founding father's estate to its original luster, historic preservation projects call for a great deal of expertise.

Public Works Magazine, August 1, 2007

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete is a dangerous problem-and all too common for the many bridges in Florida's salt-water environments. It induces cracks and spalls, which compromises structural integrity and public safety. Florida's warm climate and abundance of chlorides make the bridges highly susceptible to corrosion.

Corrosion Control (PDF)

Concrete Repair Bulletin, Sept/Oct 2005

According to a recently completed study sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), NACE International, and mandated by Congress in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), corrosion of metals costs the United States in excess of $276 billion per year.

Concrete International, January 2005

Natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers are extremely susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration. Exposure conditions, and the resulting deterioration, vary depending on a host of factors.

Power Magazine, July/August 2004

Generally, natural-draft (that is, hyperbolic) cooling towers are less expensive to operate and maintain than their mechanical-draft cousins. However, hyperbolics- which are made of concrete- are vulnerable to corrosion-induced physical damage that can be very costly to repair.