Old Concrete Beams, Columns and Structures

You may be looking at starting some refurbishment work on your house in Portugal or looking a property with a view to buying. You may have noticed that the internal floor, roof, veranda or stairs are constructed or supported by old concrete beams, columns and structures. They may look old but are they safe and suitable for modern times especially if you are going to do other works in the property.

Old Concrete Beams and Columns — Old Concrete Beams, Columns and Structures

Bellow you will see some photographs which will give you ideas for what to look for.

Reinforced concrete beams depend upon four basic things to provide the strength

1, the quality of the concrete mix, size of aggregate the small stone mixed into the concrete. The quality of the cement used . very often in the past poor quality cement was used and often not enough of it in the mixture.

Old Concrete Beams, Columns and Structures

In this photograph you can see marked by arrows that the reinforcing steel in the floor which is being supported by this column is exposed to the elements. The reason for this is that the column is to week. It was moved and caused the concrete floor to flex/move breaking the concrete away from the steel.

The arrow half way down shows that they uses large pieces of stone to pad out the concrete mix (not a good idea) One of the stones has crumbled over time leaving a big hole in the supporting column. Cracks can also be seen running the length of the column.

2, the size and thickness of the reinforcing steel. Often not enough steel is used and it is badly positioned within the beams. Drastically compromising the strength and causing long-term sagging and failure.

Old Concrete Structures — Old Concrete Beams, Columns and Structures

The reinforcing steel that you can clearly see here is far too weak, not fastened together and now exposed to the weather. The concrete floor has bent making the wall above break.

3, The size and profile of the finished beam. Often beams are made over-size in the belief that they will be stronger. However their own weight and poor construction methods/materials can cause them to sag or break.

4, Compaction of the concrete mix. If concrete is not compacted enough when it is wet bubbles of air can be caught within the concrete and these voids cause weakness in the finished beams they may also allow water to access the reinforcing steel which can rust through. Causing catastrophic failure of old concrete beams, columns and structures.

Old Concrete Beams, Columns and Structures

Its very common to see the reinforcing steel exposed in old concrete beams so that people can tie to the beam a winch or a pig for home butchering. This can significantly reduce the strength of the beam.

Any of the problems show in the photographs are serious and should be rectified as soon as possible. Some of the problems shown require demolition and rebuilding of the effected beam. Not a job for the inexperienced. Contact info@casteloconstruction for advice or a quotation to carry out the remedial work

www.casteloconstruction.com