Honeycombing, how bad is this

[Nura]

Attached pics from recent concreting done for Beams using Ultratech RMC.

When the contractor pulled out the side shuttering boards, you can see the results.

How bad is this, can this be fixed/rectified. What is the best solution.

Thanks,
Nura

[parkom]

This looks awful. Didn't they use a vibrator?

[BengaluruBoy]

Even we had a similar probelm when we did concrete for the retaining wall. See the picture. Our Architect/Engineer said its not a big problem since it appeared in only couple places out of 40 feet wide reatainnig wall and this can be covered with cement/sand mix. There was no issue like this after this since the first concrete was done below ground level where they didn't have enough room to place the side shuttering board properly( or centering sheet as they call it)

[mohanvk]

The corner column will fail. Would suggest its better to remove the concrete there and 1/3rd the span both sides and re-concrete with Nitobond at the edges with set concrete. Cannot comment on the slab but it looks bad too, though it could be addressed with microconcreting. A site visit by a professional engineer is very much recommended for this situation to address it properly. All in all, a really shoddy job by the contractor.

[Nura]

Hi parkom, I wasn't at the site, but I am told vibrator was used.


The reasons given by contractor so far, not sure which is correct
Or if any is correct. but just so that others can take this precaution.

1) the oil used on the centering sheet had dried off, as there was a gap
Of about 10 days between centering work and concrete pouring.

2) We always have the rain to blame on, so here it goes, maybe the
Oil was washed off in the interim.

3) This is the best one yet, Due to the vibrations caused by RMC pump
The centering sheets have moved.

Actually I am not even interested in the reason, I just want to know if this can
Fixed and made back to what it should have been.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi ,
It's a clear lack of workmanship.The concrete has not leaked at any junction ,they haven't used vibrator / compacting not done properly.

1.if oil is dried up its contractor part to check it. more over it will never form honey comb because of less oil.oil is used just to remove the sheets easily .
2.If the rain washed out so much internally then it should have created enough damage on the slab too.Any washed out concrete should look more sandy, in this case it doesn't
3.centring giving away is not possible since you don't see any cement slurry marks on the walls .so much of cement leak will surely make marks on walls.

The solutions are simple ,use forced micro concrete if possible or make a rich plastering mix and fill the gaps by srong force.just packing it on top is of no use.

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
ardes architects and interior designers
www.ardesarchitects.com