Crumbling Infrastructure

While I was building, I learned a few things about reinforced concrete. Eventually, depending on proximity to the sea and thickness of concrete cover, the steel will begin to corrode. As it does so, it expands and cracks the surrounding concrete, allowing more moisture to penetrate and speed up the process.

To slow the corrosion and extend the life of the structure, the rusting steel should be hacked free of surrounding concrete, wire brushed and painted or sprayed with a rust retardant. After closing up with cement and sand plaster, the outer surface of the building should be sealed with a waterproof paint or membrane. In this way the life of a structure can be extended for several years before it becomes unsafe and has to be demolished.

As has been widely demonstrated in South Africa, neglecting to maintain infrastructure leads to the inability to provide basic services to communities.

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