Concrete Cracks in Swimming Pool Basins

Abstract: Majority of the swimming facilities in Sweden are facing some form of renovation or total substitution. The report analyses cracks in two different public bath facilities namely Eriksdalsbadet and Enskedehallen. The text also discusses different solution strategies for cracks in concrete. The aim with this thesis is to discuss how facility managers can extend the service life of these facilities by taking measures against the crack damages. Since renovation can be expensive, it is important to study cracks early on when they appear. This thesis also emphasizes on how important it is to add resources for preventing cracks, already during casting. Resources should also be added for maintaining the basins, managing repair methods for all types of cracking problems. This thesis is more of a generalized study for cracks in concrete, however it concludes with taking a more specific approach by discussing the problems in swimming basins. Causes of cracks, different types of cracks and evolution of cracks are studied and discussed with emphasis on the structural damages that can occur. With pictures taken and analyzed from the two facilities and a visitation with a experienced concrete investigator from CBI, this thesis concludes with a decision to immediately take repair actions against cracks that are shown in the report. The report discusses two perspectives, one where the authors of the thesis discusses solutions derived from information given in the report, and the other perspective is derived from guided inspection with consultant from CBI.