DRY MIXTURES

[:ru]Закржевский М. В.[:en]Zakrzhevsky, M. V.[:] [:ru]ООО «БАСФ Строительные системы»[:en]BASF Building Systems Ltd[:]

Alitinform №4-5 (16) 2010 г. 89-96 p.

Abstract

Concrete is definitely the most widely used of all building materials in the world. In fact, as calculations demonstrate, approximately one ton of concrete is manufactured per one inhabitant of the planet every year. There are many arguments in favor of this material, including low cost, easily available ingredients, and the possibility to use waste of other industrial processes. Additionally, concrete itself, if its application is well established, can demonstrate impressive resistance to the harmful influence of the environment. However, despite the fact that we can state that durability of concrete over 150 years can be guaranteed based on up-to-date technological and scientific knowledge level, such factors as static and dynamic loads, aggressive mediums and abrasion, can sufficiently decrease concrete durability.

In recent years, a growing demand for maintenance and repair of building structures have caused changing the ratio of costs for new construction and repair and maintenance in favor of the latter. It was calculated that investments in maintenance of existing building structures in Europe (in particular, in Italy) accounted for about 50 % of total costs for construction. If compared to the previous decade, when these costs accounted for about 25–30 %, maintenance and repair costs have nearly doubled. According to some estimates, costs for maintenance and repair will account for nearly 85 % of total costs in construction sector in 2010. Based on some forecasts, the USA will spend over USD 50 billion for repair of worn bridges and viaducts in the same period. The Russian market is no exception to the overall trend. Lately, large amount of materials for repair and secondary protection, both domestic and foreign made, have been launched. Such a variety, on the one hand, offers a wide choice to the consumer, but, on the other hand, it complicates this choice because of the absence of a clear understanding of exactly which material (or group of materials) ought to be used in one case or another.