Copper Mine Retrofit and Repair of Degrading Columns
by Christopher Coleman

In the process plant of a copper mine, the tank-support columns were degraded and susceptible to structural failure as a result of electrolyte leaks through the ceiling and on to the column-to-beam connections. Exposure to electrolyte within the basement of the cell house had caused the steel reinforcement within the concrete columns to corrode.

The solution involved preparing the substrate of the R/C Columns by chipping out loose material and abrasive blasting the columns to rid the column of electrolyte. Then a polymer patching material that could withstand the acidic attack from the electrolyte was used to resurface the column. Pre-cured strips of S-Glass Laminate were placed against the surface of the column using a Tack Coat. Eight columns were repaired in two days. The tanks are back in action and the columns support the load by structural processes not envisaged by the original designers.

Our high strength composites offers the most beneficial solutions to fix and rehabilitate mine facilities as well as most other structural repairs such as pipe repair, seismic retrofitting and blast mitigation. For more information on HJ3 products and solutions please e-mail chris@hj3.com

Company Name: HJ3 Composites
Website: www.hj3.com
Author: Christopher Coleman
E-Mail: chris@hj3.com
Address: 4100 S. Freemont Ave.
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Zip: 85714