Honey combs can be simply be defined as a rough, pitted surface or voids in concrete resulting from incomplete filling of the concrete against the formwork, often caused by using concrete that is too stiff or by not vibrating it sufficiently after it has been poured. Normally honeycombs were observes in
structural elements like Columns lift walls and a few beams as well. Causes of honeycomb and voids include the
following reasons
structural elements like Columns lift walls and a few beams as well. Causes of honeycomb and voids include the
following reasons
- Stiff or unworkable concrete
- Over vibrating the poker the
concrete - Addition of more water
- Improper placing practices such
as pouring or releasing the concrete from a height - The normal water cement ratio that should
there is within the range of 0.4 to 0.6, but if more water is been added the
workability of the concrete mixture increases. This will cause problems when
the vibrator is been inserted. - The grout will start to leak
through the small voids and from the bottom voids of the formwork - It will also cause the plywood
to swell and will also change the dimensions and the cross- section area of the
structural elements
HoneyComp in concrete wall
Repairing honeycombs in Construction
Honeycomb areas should be repaired as soon as possible. The procedure of repairing honeycombs is as follows.
- Initially the concrete particles and loosened aggregates should be removed by using a chipping hammer and a wire brush.
- Next the area should be cleaned thoroughly with a wire brush to remove finer particles and should be washed
- Let the surface dry well and apply “Chemi-fix” glue on the area
- Next mix the construction grout along with white cement and water as recommend by the manufacturers specifications (the reason for adding whit cement is to get the required colour of the mixture). It it’s a large honeycomb as in figure 44 concrete mixture is been poured after making a pocket.
- Afterwards the mixture should be poured or pasted on the area where the honeycombs have occurred
- The formwork should be removed after 12 hours and should be cured
The normal water cement ratio that should there is within the range of 0.4 to 0.6, but if more water is been added the workability of the concrete mixture increases. This will cause problems when the vibrator is been inserted.
- The grout will start to leak through the small voids and from the bottom voids of the formwork
- It will also cause the plywood to swell and will also change the dimensions and the cross- section area of the structural elements
Honey comp Repaired using Construction Grout
Honey comp filled with Construction Grout
What is Construction Grout ?
When you need a multi-purpose non-shrink grout, choose Construction Grout for structural and non-structural applications, including precision grouting, base plates, precast components, machinery and equipment bases, anchor bolts, concrete repair, keyway joints, load bearing pads and other non-shrink applications.
