As part of its efforts to promote engineering awareness and highlight recent developments in civil engineering, Assistant Professor Dr. Mayada Waheed Falah, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, Al-Mustaqbal University, presented a scientific article entitled “Strengthening and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures: From Damage Repair to Structural Performance Restoration.”
The article discussed the importance of strengthening and rehabilitating concrete structures as essential engineering solutions for maintaining building safety and extending service life, particularly in light of the deterioration that structures may experience over time, including cracking, concrete degradation, and reinforcement corrosion caused by environmental factors, operational loads, construction defects, and inadequate maintenance.
The article also reviewed the most prominent modern strengthening techniques, including the use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP), concrete and steel jacketing, crack injection using specialized materials, and repair materials compatible with existing concrete. These techniques contribute to restoring the capacity of structural elements, improving safety, and reducing the need for complete structural replacement.
The article emphasized that successful rehabilitation involves more than repairing visible damage. It requires a comprehensive assessment of the structural condition, accurate diagnosis of the causes of deterioration, appropriate selection of repair methods, strict quality control during implementation, and verification of structural performance after rehabilitation.
This scientific contribution reflects the ongoing efforts of the Civil Engineering Department at Al-Mustaqbal University to disseminate engineering knowledge and promote sustainable solutions that support infrastructure development and structural safety. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
Al-Mustaqbal University… The First University in Iraq.