ICRI CSRT Grade 1 key terms

A reaction in which atmospheric carbon dioxide penetrates concrete and combines with calcium hydroxide, lowering pore-water pH and removing the passivating protection around embedded steel reinforcement.

Deterioration caused when chloride ions reach reinforcing steel in sufficient concentration to break down its passive oxide film, allowing localized corrosion pitting and subsequent section loss.

An internal chemical reaction between reactive silica in certain aggregates and alkali hydroxides in pore water, producing a hygroscopic gel that expands, cracks concrete, and causes map cracking.

A horizontal separation or planar crack beneath the concrete surface, often parallel to the reinforcement, that has not yet caused material to detach from the member.

The detachment and loss of concrete fragments from a member, typically occurring when corrosion products or expansive reactions fracture concrete above corroding reinforcement.

The zone immediately surrounding a corroding area where steel is beginning to corrode but has not yet generated enough expansion to crack or spall the cover concrete.

A nondestructive electrochemical survey using a reference electrode to map electrical potentials on a concrete surface, identifying areas of active corrosion risk and guiding the extent of repair.

A field indicator test in which a phenolphthalein solution is sprayed on freshly broken concrete, turning pink where the concrete remains alkaline and staying colorless where carbonation has occurred.

A sounding technique in which a chain is dragged across a concrete surface and the resulting sound is judged to locate delaminated or debonded areas before repair work begins.

A manual survey method in which tapping the surface with a hammer reveals hollow or drummy areas that indicate delamination, debonding, or voids beneath the concrete surface.

A nondestructive instrument, usually magnetic or electromagnetic, used to estimate the depth of concrete cover over reinforcement and to locate embedded steel before drilling or coring.

The thickness of concrete between the outer surface of embedded reinforcement and the nearest exposed concrete surface, which protects steel from aggressive agents.

The state in which a thin, stable oxide film forms on reinforcing steel in highly alkaline concrete, protecting the steel from active corrosion as long as alkalinity is maintained.

A cementitious or polymer-modified material formulated for restoring concrete sections, typically with low shrinkage, controlled modulus, and bond strength suited to structural or cosmetic patching.

A material applied to a prepared concrete substrate to improve adhesion of a repair layer, such as a cement slurry, epoxy resin, or polymer emulsion primer.

A measure of a material's stiffness, expressing the ratio of stress to strain in the elastic range; mismatches between repair material and substrate can cause cracking or debonding.

A repair concrete or mortar formulated to offset drying shrinkage through expansive components, reducing cracking and improving bond when placed in restrained patch repairs.

The process of cleaning and roughening a substrate to remove unsound material, contaminants, and laitance so that repair materials can achieve reliable adhesion.

A concrete removal method using high-pressure water jets to break away deteriorated or unsound concrete while leaving sound material and reinforcing steel largely undamaged.

A mechanical surface preparation method in which steel shot is propelled at the concrete to remove coatings, laitance, or surface contaminants and produce a roughened profile.

Concrete removal and roughening carried out with powered equipment such as scarifiers, grinders, or scabblers to expose sound aggregate and create a bondable surface.

A weak, cement-rich layer that migrates to the surface of fresh concrete, consisting of fines and water; it must be removed before applying repair materials because it impairs bond.

A localized repair in which deteriorated concrete is removed to sound material, reinforcement is treated, and the cavity is refilled with a repair mortar or concrete.

The process of maintaining adequate moisture and temperature in freshly placed repair material so that cement hydration proceeds, strength develops, and shrinkage cracking is minimized.

A repair technique in which formwork is erected around a prepared cavity and repair concrete or mortar is poured or pumped into place, suitable for larger or overhead repair areas.

A test that measures the adhesion between a repair material and its substrate, commonly by pull-off methods, to verify that surface preparation and application achieved adequate bond.

A field workability test that measures the vertical settlement of a freshly mixed concrete cone, indicating consistency and helping judge whether the mix is suitable for placement.

A compressive strength test in which molded or cored cylindrical specimens are loaded to failure, used to verify that repair concrete meets specified strength requirements.

A documented check performed before placing repair material to confirm that surface preparation, reinforcement treatment, formwork, and environmental conditions meet specification requirements.

A very fine pozzolanic by-product of silicon metal production, added to repair materials to increase strength, reduce permeability, and improve resistance to aggressive chemicals.

A crack repair method in which low-viscosity epoxy resin is injected under pressure into cracks to restore structural continuity and seal against water and chloride ingress.

The use of diamond-bladed equipment to cut clean, straight boundaries around a repair area, preventing feathered edges and creating a square shoulder for the patch.

Wearable safety gear such as respirators, eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection required to protect workers from silica dust, chemicals, noise, and physical hazards.

Measures such as wet cutting, water misting, local exhaust ventilation, and respiratory protection used to limit worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica during concrete removal.

A document supplied with a hazardous chemical that describes its hazards, safe handling, required protective equipment, and emergency procedures, and must be accessible on site.

The process of testing and classifying repair debris, such as chloride-contaminated concrete or lead paint residue, to determine lawful disposal or recycling routes.

Adherence to regulations and project requirements governing dust, noise, wastewater, and waste disposal during concrete repair, including containment and permitted discharge limits.