Abstract
Structural concrete can be treated using a variety of special methods to produce aesthetically pleasing effects. This type of concrete is called architectural concrete. It is possible to produce structures with colourful, smooth or textured surface finishes that will satisfy any of the demands of modern architecture.
It is clear that matching the colour and texture of repair work in architectural concrete is problematic. Concrete surfaces with different types of finishes require different rehabilitation processes, just as different ages of concrete require different repair methods. The concrete life cycle is set up for aesthetic repair in this research.
Before a repair project is undertaken it is important to ascertain the type of failure. The causes of the failure should be identified and removed if possible. The factors influencing the appearance of the concrete surface should be discussed, in order that the right skills and technical methods are employed during the rehabilitation process.
The repair method should be divided into two categories, one is for the young concrete, and another is for the old concrete. A good starting point for the patching mortar of both young and old architectural concrete are suggested as a result of the experiments. Two new factors have been established as a result of this research, namely the colour coefficient and the colour influence coefficient, both of which will be beneficial to future research projects.
KEYWORDS: architectural concrete, colourimetric method, discolouration, young and old concrete, colour coefficient, colour influence coefficient.
Mr. Deon Kruger