Defect analysis of reinforced concrete slabs for earth dam slope protection

Many of hydraulic structures on Lithuania hydroschemes are older than 30 years; therefore, the ageing of building materials causes greater probability of deterioration and even failure. Every reinforced concrete construction of hydraulic structures is getting worse with time, but especially often there are deteriorated reinforced concrete slabs for earth dam slope protection. Due to environmental impacts some deteriorations of the slabs take place, which influence negatively not only some slabs, but after their failure the danger arises for the whole slope protection, for the reliability, durability and safety of the hydraulic structure in general. If dangerous defects and deteriorations are not repaired in time, big technical and ecological loss may occur. From the economic point of view execution of new slope protection is more expensive; therefore, a more topical problem is to preserve the present reinforced concrete slabs by means of restoration and/or reconstruction. The main defects and deterioration of reinforced concrete slabs for earth dam slope protection, the character and causes of ones are described in the article; the technical state of strengthening slabs was estimated by points. It is established that rupture of slabs of hydroschemes in the time being was caused in many cases by unfit manufactured concrete, which properties do not satisfy the requirements of usage; the influence of aggressive environments, unfit exploitation. The data of the investigations published in the article are given for improvement in designing new strengthening slabs, repairing the damaged part of the construction timelyVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij