STRUCTURES AT RISK--PREPARING AND REPAIRING PARKING GARAGES

Infiltration of water and chemical attack by deicing salts are the major factors contributing to the rapid deterioration of reinforced concrete parking garages. Exposure to rain, oil, gasoline, hydraulic fluids, and heavy usage also subject it to stresses that can cause structural deterioration. Additionally, the chemical reaction that causes the alkalinity near the surface of concrete to be reduced by reaction with acidic atmosphere gases, such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, under moist conditions leads to accelerated corrosion. Problems created include the following: delaminated, spalled, and disintegrated concrete; cracking in beam-column connections; cracks in slabs, beams, columns, and walls as a result of volume change; inadequate cover over reinforcement; joint seal failure; and ponded water from poor drainage resulting in freeze/thaw disintegration, reinforcement corrosion, and damage to vehicles under the deck. This article outlines the procedures that should be followed to repair parking garages. It concludes with the recommendation that owners initiate a preventive maintenance program, including regular, detailed inspections and flushing the deck periodically with clean water to remove salt build-up.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Corporate Authors:

  Public Works Journal Corporation

  200 South Broad Street
  Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
• Authors:
  • Meyers, M
• Publication Date: 1990-8

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 46-47
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 120
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion; Delamination; Deterioration; Drainage; Failure; Flushing; Fracture mechanics; Inspection; Joints; Maintenance; Parking garages; Preventive maintenance; Reinforced concrete; Repairing; Seals (Devices); Spalling; Volume changes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cover depth
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Terminals and Facilities; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497289
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM