According to certain engineering regulations, the durability and de - sign of structural lifetime is often around 50 years. It can be greatly extended with regular maintenance; otherwise the structure should be demolished and rebuilt. By using MCI® Technology in severely corrosive environments, structures will have a stronger resistance to corrosion and therefore longer durability. Increased durability means fewer repairs, enhanced structural integrity, and a longer service life, all leading to greater sustainability. To put it more simply, maintenance is essential to avoid fatal tragedies like the one we witnessed when a residential building in Florida suddenly collapsed. Structural engineers were shocked that this would happen to a building that had stood for decades. Engineers are conducting a preliminary review in order to help understand the collapse. Such a failure suggested a foundation- related matter—potentially corrosion or other damage at a lower level. Corrosion is the deterioration of materials over time. It is a serious problem for engineers who use metal products in their structures, be - cause it can be a huge safety hazard. Ignoring this powerful force can have tragic consequences. The three major potential consequences of corrosion are 1. Life threatening accidents resulting in loss of life 2. Economic costs involved in rectifying the corrosion damage 3. Environmental damage threatening the ecosystem How to Build and Maintain Durable Structures During the last two decades there have been huge advances in technol - ogy to extend the lifespan of structures and avoid possible tragedies. Patented MCI® Technology was designed to protect reinforcing metal in concrete from corrosion and is widely used around the globe. The application of MCI® products has experienced rapid growth in recent years due to a number of factors such as proven efficiency and envi- ronmental advantages. By using this technology, corrosion initiation is delayed, and the lifecycle of structures is significantly extended. One of the most efficient uses of Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors (MCI®) is when applied directly during the construction phase as well as being used as a part of the maintenance repair system in existing structures. Sustainable construction has become a goal for owners across the globe. Often overlooked is the aspect of durability and service life for the final structure. However, this is undoubtedly one of the main factors influ- encing structural sustainability. Many MCI® inhibitors are made from a renewable raw material, enabling users to earn certain LEED credits.
Corrosion Protection of Coto del Rey – El Vendrell Water Tank The Consorci D’Aigües De Tarragona (C.A.T.) needed to construct a 25,000 m³ capacity regulating water tank in the Coto del Rey area in El Vendrell , Spain in order to increase the supply and security of their water source. Given previous problems in other C.A.T. facilities, they decided to add corrosion protection to each of the reinforced concrete elements included in the project. The tank at Coto del Rey is rectan - gular: 88 m long, 63 m wide, and 5 m high. Once the problem and potability considerations had been established, Cortec’s MCI®-2005 coating was selected for admixing into 3,800 m³ of concrete containing 289,000 kg of corrugated steel reinforcement. MCI®-2005 dosage rate was 0.6 L/m³. C.A.T. had previous experience using MCI®-2005 for water structures in 2003 and 2016 and chose it once again in 2021. A key factor in their decision was the admixture’s certification to meet NSF Standard 61 for use in large potable water structures. MCI®-2005 will be an important protective measure against attack by chlorides and carbonation in order to extend the durability and service life of the new water tank now and in years to come. Repairing and Extending Service Life of Höganäs County Water Tower The water tower in Höganäs County, Sweden was built in 1978 and was designed for at least 50 years of service. The height of the tower
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csengineermag.com
November 2021
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