Slab Strengthening
with Concrete Crack Lock Stitches
A cracked warehouse slab was quickly reinforced with carbon fiber stitches, avoiding costly replacement and restoring strength under heavy loads.
View PDFThe Problem
An excavation company in Vaudreuil-Dorion encountered significant structural issues in their warehouse when dynamic cracks began forming in an 8-inch concrete slab. The facility stored heavy equipment, and the continuous weight compacted the underlying soil, creating uneven support and stress points in the slab.
This problem was intensified by recurring environmental and operational forces, including freeze - thaw cycles, soil expansion, and repeated live loads. Additionally, the original concrete joints were not designed to handle these combined stresses, allowing the cracks to worsen over time.
⚠ Replacing the slab entirely would have been expensive and disruptive, prompting the need for an alternative solution.
The Solution
To address the issue without full demolition, the company chose to reinforce the slab using the Rhino Carbon Fiber Concrete Crack Lock Kit. After preparing the surface and cleaning the cracks, they v-grooved the damaged areas to improve bonding and installed carbon fiber stitches at regular intervals, positioning them at varying angles to maximize strength in all directions.
The stitches were secured with high-strength epoxy, and the surface was finished with a urethane repair material to create a smooth, uniform appearance. This method proved to be cost-effective, durable, and easy to install. The repaired slab successfully withstood the weight of a 35,700 kg excavator, and the company has since continued using and recommending this solution for similar projects.
Products Used
Slab Strengthening
with Concrete Crack Lock Stitches
A cracked warehouse slab was quickly reinforced with carbon fiber stitches, avoiding costly replacement and restoring strength under heavy loads.
View PDFThe Problem
An excavation company in Vaudreuil-Dorion encountered significant structural issues in their warehouse when dynamic cracks began forming in an 8-inch concrete slab. The facility stored heavy equipment, and the continuous weight compacted the underlying soil, creating uneven support and stress points in the slab.
This problem was intensified by recurring environmental and operational forces, including freeze - thaw cycles, soil expansion, and repeated live loads. Additionally, the original concrete joints were not designed to handle these combined stresses, allowing the cracks to worsen over time.
⚠ Replacing the slab entirely would have been expensive and disruptive, prompting the need for an alternative solution.
The Solution
To address the issue without full demolition, the company chose to reinforce the slab using the Rhino Carbon Fiber Concrete Crack Lock Kit. After preparing the surface and cleaning the cracks, they v-grooved the damaged areas to improve bonding and installed carbon fiber stitches at regular intervals, positioning them at varying angles to maximize strength in all directions.
The stitches were secured with high-strength epoxy, and the surface was finished with a urethane repair material to create a smooth, uniform appearance. This method proved to be cost-effective, durable, and easy to install. The repaired slab successfully withstood the weight of a 35,700 kg excavator, and the company has since continued using and recommending this solution for similar projects.
Products Used