OVERHEAD Epoxy Injection 2

[JohnRwals]

Hi!

I am looking for info to do crack repair of underside surface of concrete beams and slabs with epoxy injection.
If you have any info, please post it.

Thanks!

JRW

 

[BridgeSmith]

Anything with a low enough viscosity to flow into the crack will also flow out. I think you'd have to cover the cracks to seal up the surface, and inject the epoxy under pressure.

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10

 

[bridgebuster]

Here's a NYSDOT spec for two types of crack repairs using epoxy. Also, try calling Sika. They have various products and can give you very good advice. Their Sikadur injection gel can be used for overhead applications.

 

[LittleWheels]

There are lots of proprietary solutions for overhead crack injection. Thixotropic materials 'thicken up' when not in motion, to avoid flowing out again. Vacuum injection helps get the material into the cracks. Pressure injection of cracks under a surface putty works too. Don't overlook alternative materials, not only epoxy. Talk to good suppliers and applicators. Experience counts for a lot.

 

[epoxybot]

Overhead epoxy injection is not for a newbie. You are better off contacting a company that specializes in concrete restoration & epoxy injection. Overhead epoxy injection is not the kind of project you want to cut your teeth on.

A good 2-component epoxy injection pump will set you back US-$8000. There can be lease & rental options. Imagine being new to the business & your field tech, with minimal knowledge puts the A-component in the B-component reservoir! You are now the proud owner of a fancy anchor.

There is no getting around the application of a surface seal to contain the liquid epoxy. Repair of Flexural cracks in beams, requires experience. These cracks can be foliated and patience is required because they are often tight and the injection progress is slow.

If you still want to shoot yourself in the foot, try Chemco Systems for epoxies & pumps.

 

[dik]

I've been using Sika for decades (so long, my memory is going)... excellent products and they have material that works overhead. Depending on the type of repair, they have there are injectible polyurethanes that work well, too.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[271828]

Reminds me of a funny joke from years ago. One of our younger engineers was pondering the use of adhesive anchors to the underside of a slab. I told him to use "constipation grout." I don't remember if I remembered to go back and make sure he didn't put that on the drawings.

 

[DayRooster]

I concur with above, call Sika and speak with one of their engineers. They are very helpful. There are other competitors out there but I would start with Sika.

 

[dik]

In the same vein, a decade or so back, I did a hanging sign structure for a small town Theatre and was using stainless steel fittings for the support. When Derrick the draftsguy asked me what the support device was at the top (actually a thimble) I didn't know and told him it was a doohickey... at the first meeting, the contractor commented on the quality of the drawings but had a question. What's a doohickey, and pointed it out on the drawings... everyone but the Architect thought it was funny... the Arch went ballistic... don't think I've ever seen anyone that angry.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik