ABSTRACT
A variety of surface treatments can be performed to repair and/or protect concrete elements. These surface treatments can be classified in accordance with the following four categories:
•Surface protection •Crack repair •Surface repair/overlay • Strengthening
Most materials and material categories available for the first three types of treatments are summarized in Tables 7.1 through 7.3, respectively, together with their main characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. In the case of surface-applied strengthening, linings (sheets, strips, etc.) made with different materials (steel, carbon fibers embedded in a resin and a variety of other fiber reinforced polymers [FRP]) are typically installed in selected areas of the surface using high-performance adhesives (epoxy-type, polyurethane-type, etc.).
