Extending the Service Life of Concrete Structures: An ACI 562 Assessment and Repair Training Course (Online / Remote)
1Summary
Concrete does not last forever, and every ageing structure eventually forces a decision: repair it, strengthen it, or replace it. This training course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy equips engineers with a systematic, ACI 562-based method for making that call correctly — starting from accurate condition assessment rather than guesswork.
Participants work through the full lifecycle of a repair project: diagnosing deterioration mechanisms such as corrosion, chemical attack, and physical damage; running structural condition assessments and non-destructive tests; and then translating findings into a compliant, durable repair or strengthening design. The result is a practical decision-making framework that keeps existing concrete assets safe, serviceable, and standards-compliant for years to come.
2Objectives and target group
Target Audience
- Civil and structural engineers responsible for the design, maintenance, or repair of concrete structures.
- Project managers overseeing rehabilitation works, alongside quality control and inspection engineers on construction sites.
- Consultants and technical specialists who assess and advise on structural condition.
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Apply the ACI 562 framework and terminology to existing concrete structures.
- Identify the causes and mechanisms behind concrete deterioration.
- Carry out systematic structural condition assessments using recognised methods.
- Develop repair and rehabilitation strategies matched to actual structural needs.
- Ensure repair projects meet safety, performance, and compliance requirements.
3Course Content
Module 1: Why Concrete Structures Deteriorate
- Properties of hardened concrete, common defects, and the influence of environmental exposure.
- Deterioration mechanisms: corrosion of reinforcement, chemical attack and carbonation, and physical or mechanical damage.
- Where ACI 562 fits: its scope, key definitions and terminology, and its relationship to other ACI codes.
Module 2: Planning and Carrying Out the Assessment
- Levels of structural assessment, data collection procedures, and documentation requirements.
- Visual assessment techniques: surface condition evaluation, crack identification and classification, and mapping of defects.
- Non-destructive testing methods: rebound hammer and ultrasonic testing, half-cell potential measurement, and ground-penetrating radar basics.
Module 3: Evaluating Materials and Structural Capacity
- Core sampling procedures, compressive strength assessment, and durability-related testing.
- Structural analysis of existing systems: load capacity evaluation, identification of critical elements, and structural modelling considerations.
- Structural safety assessment and load rating: criteria for adequacy, load combinations, serviceability, and demand-versus-capacity decision-making.
Module 4: From Diagnosis to Repair Strategy
- Fundamentals of concrete repair: compatibility of repair materials, bond and interface considerations, and durability requirements.
- Repair materials and systems: cement-based repair materials, polymer-modified systems, and protective coatings and sealants.
Module 5: Repair and Protection Techniques
- Crack repair methods: injection techniques, routing and sealing, and stitching and reinforcement.
- Surface protection techniques: durability coatings, waterproofing systems, and corrosion inhibitors.
- Strengthening techniques: section enlargement, external reinforcement systems, steel plate bonding, fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), post-tensioning, and anchorage and detailing considerations.
Module 6: Designing and Documenting the Repair
- Design requirements: code-based design procedures, safety factors and load combinations, and performance-based criteria.
- Documentation and design submittals: preparation of repair drawings, technical specifications, and approval processes.
Module 7: Execution, Quality Control, and Long-Term Performance
- Repair implementation practices: surface preparation, application procedures, and environmental considerations during repair.
- Quality assurance and control: inspection during repair works, material acceptance criteria, and performance verification methods.
- Post-repair monitoring and maintenance planning: inspection intervals, structural performance monitoring, preventive maintenance strategies, and sustainability considerations.