Performance requirements for structural adhesives in relation to concrete strengthening

The elements of a concrete structure may require their load bearing capacity to be restored or increased for a variety of reasons. Such structural strengthening may be achieved in a number of ways including the installation of internal bonded rebars, reinforcement by external plate bonding, the addition of mortar or concrete and injection or filling of cracks, voids or interstices. The standardisation of products and systems associated with the principle of strengthening concrete structures falls within the scope of CEN Technical Committee 104 Sub-Committee 8. In particular, its Working Group 3 is concerned with structural bonding and the development of the specification standard EN1504-4. The paper reviews the range of performance tests and associated requirements for structural adhesives in the context of EN1504-4.