Surface Prep for Concrete Repair Study Wins Reclamation’s Science and Technology Program Award

Written by: Fred Brown

Kurt Von Fay (right) is receiving his research of the year award from Deputy Commissioner for Operations David Palumbo.The Bureau of Reclamation’s Science and Technology Program awarded its inaugural Fiscal Year 2017 S&T Project of the Year on June 12. The award went to Kurt Von Fay for the project entitled, “Surface Prep for Concrete Repair - Development of Specifications and Performance Criteria for Surface Preparation Based on Issues Related to Bond Strength.” The award is based on its positive impact to Reclamation and other federal and non-federal partners, it's efforts to address the current Department of the Interior priorities, the involvement of partners and its level of innovation.

The award-winning study focused on composite repair and overlay systems and studied how to achieve optimum strength and durability of these systems in their application on spillways, decks, and other concrete structures. These findings are expected to help reduce cyclical maintenance on Reclamation's concrete structures (spillways, decks, etc.) through better overlay applications.

“I am delighted and honored that the project was selected for this award. I am very proud of the research effort because of the work performed by the research partners, their staff, and the usefulness of the results,” said Kurt Von Fay, lead researcher on the study. “Many of the results have already been incorporated into Reclamation concrete repair practice. Results are also helping to guide development of new research proposals to address knowledge gaps identified by this project.”

The study involved several research partners from other countries including Canada, Belgium and Poland. At Reclamation, Kurt had a supporting staff including Kurt Mitchell, Steve Reo and Rick Pepin.

“Kurt's study stood out as it addresses a common and difficult challenge in Reclamation's efforts to extend the service life of concrete infrastructure,” said Levi Brekke, Chief of Research and Development. “The study was selected for how it yields outcomes that stand to benefit water infrastructure management across Reclamation and in the broader water management community where concrete structures are concerned. The study was one of the most extensive of its kind and provided experimental data to address long-standing questions.”

Kurt feels there is still much they can learn from additional research into surface prep for concrete repair.

“We will continue to implement findings from this study into Reclamation concrete repair practice and continue to develop new research efforts to help fill existing knowledge gaps identified while conducting this study. In addition, over the course of this research project, several knowledge gaps were identified which we were able to fill through further research efforts.”

Along with the award, Kurt and his team receive up to $10,000 for funding to expand outreach of the project through internal Reclamation presentations in the following fiscal year.

Kurt Von Fay (holding his award) with (from left) Janet White, John Whitler, David Palumbo, Von Fay, Levi Brekke, and David Raff.

Development of Performance Criteria for Surface Preparation of Concrete Substrates Prior to Repair and Overlay

Published on June 27, 2018