Typical Damages of the Reinforced Concrete Structures in Swimming Pools

摘要

This paper presents the evaluation, diagnosis and repair guidelines for typical damages of the reinforced concrete structures in swimming pools with more than thirty years service and water cleansing and disinfecting (chlorinating) facilities. The diagnosing strategy mainly addressed the elements in the pump room because it was the most affected area. The study evaluated the simultaneous effects of aggressive agents (gaseous chlorine, CO_2) on the environment because of operational failures, chloride-ion contamination caused by water dripping from bathers and the high relative humidity (no ventilation, leakage in the service pipes). A sample of each the different elements comprising the structure in accordance with the damage survey was selected, taking electrochemical measurements that would indicate the areas on which to perform the electrochemical analysis of the concrete (chloride and acidification). Results show acidification at great depth in the concrete and the low quality of the latter (fck<200 Kg/cm~2), aided by very thin covering on the reinforcement and high relative humidity in the environment, factors that unleash damage onto all the elements of the reinforced concrete, excepting the slabs in which the added diffusion of chloride ions promotes corrosive activity in the reinforcement. Although the damage pathology is the same, repairs will be carried out in accordance with the corrosive activity present in each element. Contaminated concrete will be removed by hydrojet. The minimum strength of new concrete to be applied should be 250 Kg/cm~2, with a w/c ratio of <0.5; cement content should be no less than 275 Kg/m~(3). If leaks in the chemical treatment cannot be controlled, well-compacted and cured concrete with strength >300 Kg/cm~3 should be used.