REHABILITATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE SILOS FOR LOULIS MILLS PRODUCTION PLANT

The grain silos are located at Agiou Georgiou bay in Keratsini, Piraeus, Greece. They were constructed out of reinforced concrete during the 1960s. They are cylindrically shaped with a maximum height of 65m. Their storage capacity is 21.000tn.

Due to their age but mostly due to their proximity to the hostile sea environment the concrete surfaces suffered significant damage. These affected seriously their functional performance as well as their aesthetics. Spalling, cracking concrete, discoloration, visible corroded steel reinforcement etc. were some of the most obvious problems.

To put into scientific evidence the main deficiencies and damages of the reinforced concrete, an expert team performed numerous non-destructive tests in order to evaluate the concrete strength and its pH. The results showed a decrease of the initial concrete strength and an elevated carbonation level, thus creating perfect conditions for rebar corrosion.

The silos had to be rehabilitated. The initial concrete strength had to be restored and it was crucial to protect the concrete surfaces against the sea environment and the atmospheric pollution.

Dpk Constructions