Historical Water Tower
Strengthening with CFRP
A deteriorating historic water tower was successfully restored using carbon fiber reinforcement, providing a durable, non-corrosive solution after previous repairs had failed.
View PDFThe Problem
The Kansas City Public Works Department needed to repair a deteriorating historical water tower in Clay City, Kansas that was crumbling due to its age and long-term exposure to environmental conditions. Over time, the structure developed significant cracking and weakening, raising concerns about its safety and continued operation.
Two previous repair attempts failed, one using additional concrete that continued to crack and shift, and another using steel reinforcement that corroded and accelerated damage to the internal rebar.
⚠ Failed repair methods and ongoing deterioration left the aging water tower structurally unstable and in need of a long-lasting, non-corrosive repair solution.
The Solution
An engineering company determined that Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) was the ideal repair method due to its high strength and resistance to corrosion. Before installation, the concrete surface was carefully prepared by mechanically abrading it, removing loose debris, and filling large voids to ensure proper bonding.
Three crews then applied 560 GSM bidirectional Rhino Carbon Fiber CFRP in 24 inch widths, fully encapsulating the base pillar of the tower. After the CFRP cured, a cementitious coating was applied to restore the exterior appearance and protect the material from UV exposure. This solution successfully restored the tower to full operational condition with a durable and nearly invisible repair.
Products Used
Project Images
Historical Water Tower
Strengthening with CFRP
A deteriorating historic water tower was successfully restored using carbon fiber reinforcement, providing a durable, non-corrosive solution after previous repairs had failed.
View PDFThe Problem
The Kansas City Public Works Department needed to repair a deteriorating historical water tower in Clay City, Kansas that was crumbling due to its age and long-term exposure to environmental conditions. Over time, the structure developed significant cracking and weakening, raising concerns about its safety and continued operation.
Two previous repair attempts failed, one using additional concrete that continued to crack and shift, and another using steel reinforcement that corroded and accelerated damage to the internal rebar.
⚠ Failed repair methods and ongoing deterioration left the aging water tower structurally unstable and in need of a long-lasting, non-corrosive repair solution.
The Solution
An engineering company determined that Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) was the ideal repair method due to its high strength and resistance to corrosion. Before installation, the concrete surface was carefully prepared by mechanically abrading it, removing loose debris, and filling large voids to ensure proper bonding.
Three crews then applied 560 GSM bidirectional Rhino Carbon Fiber CFRP in 24 inch widths, fully encapsulating the base pillar of the tower. After the CFRP cured, a cementitious coating was applied to restore the exterior appearance and protect the material from UV exposure. This solution successfully restored the tower to full operational condition with a durable and nearly invisible repair.
Products Used
Project Images