Extending the service life of steel-reinforced concrete bridges 

Motorway bridge in Castellón, Spanien

Reliably executed refurbishment work can serve to significantly extent the lifespan of reinforced concrete structures. Since the beginning of 2008, concrete repair is regulated Europe-wide by a unified standard (EN 1504). BASF’s Emaco Nanocrete concrete repair solutions surpass the requirements of this standard; the multi-application system can be applied easily and in great layer thicknesses, thus saving time and money. This is why the products were used in the repair of a more than 30 years old motorway bridge in the Spanish province of Castellón.

High-technology products and custom-tailored service

For the repair of the concrete surfaces, Emaco Nanocrete R4 repair mortar was used. It is extremely stable, shrinkage-reduced, and can be applied by machine as well as by hand in great layer thicknesses. After curing, it is of high strength and has a high elasticity modulus, which makes it perfectly suited for the repair of structural concrete elements. For the protection of reinforcing elements against corrosion, Emaco Nanocrete AP was chosen. The EN 1504 standard not only regulates product requirements, production, and quality control, but also the concrete repair process as a whole. For this reason, BASF experts were involved for the entire duration of the construction project – from preparation of the substrate, to selection of procedures, to application. They ensured on-site compliance with regulations and gave professional advice on appropriate measures.

Unique properties thanks to nanostructures

At the core of the excellent product properties of Emaco Nanocrete repair mortars lie specific nanostructures created during curing as well as the reinforcement of the material by fibers. They reduce shrinkage and increase the product’s adhesive properties as well as making it more durable, resistant to tearing, and easier to apply.  
The term “nano” refers to the nanostructures formed during curing only. The Emaco Nanocrete product series does not contain any nanoparticles.