DEFECT IN REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures form the backbone of modern infrastructure due to their strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. However, over time, these buildings are prone to various forms of deterioration caused by factors such as environmental exposure, poor construction practices, overloading, and lack of proper maintenance. These defects manifest in forms like cracks, spalling, corrosion of reinforcement, and structural deformation, which compromise the integrity and safety of the structure. Hence, this study aim to access the repair and rehabilitation of defective reinforced concrete buildings in Ekosodin Community of Ovia North East LGA, Benin City. The study Involves conducting a comprehensive review of literature, standards, and case studies to understand the mechanisms of deterioration and the corresponding repair techniques. A detailed site investigation was carried out on selected case study buildings to identify the extent of damage through visual inspection and non-destructive testing methods such as rebound hammer tests. Based on the diagnosis (that is watching out for crack defects only), a repair and rehabilitation plan was developed which incorporates suitable repair materials and structural strengthening method such as bitumen crack injection and stitching as a combined method of repair/rehabilitation. Visual inspection revealed multiple types of cracks on columns and walls, with widths ranging from 5 mm to 15 mm, attributed to various factors. Rebound hammer results showed that cracked areas had lower surface strength (11–13 N/mm²) than uncracked regions (24–27 N/mm²), confirming surface deterioration and validating the rebound hammer test as a reliable tool for assessing concrete integrity prior to selecting suitable rehabilitation method