Rehabilitation of Deteriorated Concrete Structures Using Snail Shell Powder Cement Composite

This article investigates the visible cracks and the progression of crack development in reinforced concrete structures and highlights areas requiring rehabilitation. Non-destructive tests (NDT), such as the Rebound Hammer test and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test, were employed to evaluate the strength and depth of cracks without damaging the structure. Concrete, though the most widely used construction material, often deteriorates over time due to cracking, splitting, delamination, and reinforcement corrosion. Such issues demand effective repair, rehabilitation, or retrofitting strategies. In this study, a cement composite incorporating 30% snail shell powder as a partial cement replacement was used for structural repair. The snail shell powder, rich in calcium and silica, demonstrated pozzolanic properties that enhanced both strength and durability. Experimental results showed a significant improvement in compressive strength, with an increment of up to 38%, along with improved crack-sealing performance. The rehabilitation process was applied to a corroded column, and the structural behavior was compared before and after the intervention using NDT. The findings confirm that snail shell powder-based composites are a promising, sustainable alternative for structural rehabilitation, offering both strength enhancement and durability improvements.