A Look at the New ACI 562-19 Concrete Repair Code

If you’re in the concrete industry, you’ve definitely heard of the new code, “ACI 562-19: Code Requirements for Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures and Commentary”.

Because of it, concrete crews will likely see new changes being implemented across the industry. The ACI (American Concrete Institution) is continually updating these codes—the 562 Committee being particularly responsible for its creation and updates. These codes are referenced mainly by engineers but will indirectly affect the jobsite and day-to-day operations.

Whether you’re looking for contractors, plywood for sale, or other things related to the construction industry, you should be aware of the ACI Code and keep an eye out for updates. Keep reading to find out more about the history of ACI 562 Committee and their new changes.

Why Was the ACI 562 Developed?

Due to requests by the concrete repair and protection industry, an initiative in 2004, “Vision 2020”, was created. Its purpose was to outline specific practices for concrete structures that had undergone previous repairs and that required special expertise.

Vision 2020 recognized the need for a concrete repair code, which is where publications like ACI 563-18 and ACI 562-19 were birthed. These codes are backed by research statistics and a growing knowledge of how concrete and science operate, which play a particular role in the concrete industry.

Ways the ACI Codes Help Repair Concrete Structures

While there are evolving documents and codes for the science behind construction, there are few documents that address current concrete structures. The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) is one of these organizations, but it is not precise in its rules or research to support the durability and life of a concrete structure.

ACI 562-19 fills this gap by providing standard practices, codes, and requirements for the improvement of concrete-repaired buildings. Constantly being revised, this document informs engineers, architects, and builders of guidelines for this constantly changing process.

The Newest Updates to ACI 562-19

The main updates in this iteration have to do with clarifying “unsafe conditions” as well as defining new standards for external reinforcement.

Unsafe Conditions

Identifying structures as unsafe or dangerous is an indicator of a structure’s integrity during evaluation. The ACI pulled from the IEBC’s definitions of unsafe and dangerous structures, which are mostly straightforward. While there are many points that define an unsafe structure, one of the definitions was unclear and has been addressed by ACI 562-19.

The concerning point was defining a “significant risk of collapse under service load” as vaguely explained in the last iteration of codes. The new codes outline a demand-to-capacity ratio that helps define the reliability of a structure. Further, it is even able to estimate the time a structure has before it must be strengthened back to code requirements.

External Reinforcement

ACI 562-19 outlines new standards for consistency in regard to external reinforcement. Many forms of reinforcement, such as steel plates and tensioners, are used for internal and external reinforcing.

External reinforcement, however, requires special considerations due to outside conditions like a fire or inconsistent temperatures. With this in mind, ACI 562-19 contains new guidelines for ensuring the external reinforcement of concrete structures.

ACI 562 Developments for the Near Future

This standard was published in 2013, and therefore has quite a way to go in development, revisions, and improvements. As research and new technology develops, the ACI 562 will reflect these advancements and preserve the safety and stability of existing structures.

With these new codes constantly changing, your company will need shoring equipment and concrete forms to keep up to date. Contact us today so we can help with the next job.