Section Enlargement
Increasing the size of a structural member by adding reinforcement and concrete around the existing section.
On an actual building
It is generally cheaper per member than fibre wrapping and brings inherent fire performance, but it adds dead load and takes up space — which matters in basements and car parks.
What we most often have to correct
That bigger is always better. The added dead load has to be carried by the same foundations.
Where this comes up in our work
Terms that come up alongside this one
- CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer)
Carbon fibre fabric bonded to a structural member with epoxy resin, adding tensile and confinement capacity with almost no added weight or section..
- Micro-Concrete
A flowable, shrinkage-compensated cementitious repair material with fine aggregate, poured into formwork to reinstate a concrete section..
- Propping
Temporary support installed to carry loads while concrete is removed from a structural member during repair..
Section Enlargement — questions we get asked
What does section enlargement mean in waterproofing?
Increasing the size of a structural member by adding reinforcement and concrete around the existing section.
Why does section enlargement matter on a real project?
It is generally cheaper per member than fibre wrapping and brings inherent fire performance, but it adds dead load and takes up space — which matters in basements and car parks.
What do people commonly get wrong about section enlargement?
That bigger is always better. The added dead load has to be carried by the same foundations.
Have a building showing this?
If a term on this page describes something you are looking at, a site inspection will tell you how far it has gone and what it needs. It costs nothing.
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