Repair of reinforced concrete structures by mineral accretion

Abstract

By establishing a direct electrical current between electrodes in an electrolyte, such as seawater or fresh water containing minerals in solution, calcium carbonates, magnesium hydroxides, and hydrogen are precipitated at the cathode, while at the anode, oxygen and chlorine are produced. The electrochemical precipitation of minerals at and in the vicinity of metal reinforcement in a reinforced concrete structure is utilized to repair damaged portions thereof, for example, fractures, cracks, fissures, and voids. To repair reinforced concrete structures, the structure is disposed in a volume of electrolyte. The metal reinforcement is made a cathode by connection to the negative terminal of a suitable DC power supply. One or more anodes are disposed in proximity to the structure, and a direct electrical current is established between the electrodes for a period of time sufficient to fill by accretion cracks, fissures or voids in the concrete body of the structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.