At Vebro HQ, we’ve taken every care to simplify our product and system naming structure, but just in case, we’ve put together a short glossary of our abbreviations and acronyms and popped it all into a handy one-page download.

In this How to Speak Vebro series, we’re delving into each of these acronyms and what they mean. First up…

CB: Crack Bridging

Crack-bridging membrane refers to a specific membrane that is used for bridging the crack of materials, such as epoxy coatings and paints. This membrane is flexible and used where elongation is critical. Crack-bridging membranes can be used in wood, metals and concrete.

This flexible membrane bridges new cracks and relieves tensions produced from possible crack movements (as dynamic and static cracking); therefore, it also protects from corrosion.

Structural Cracks in Concrete

Structural cracks are those which result from incorrect design, faulty construction or overloading and these may endanger the safety of a building and their occupants.

Non-Structural Cracks in Concrete

Non-Structural cracks occur mostly due to internally induced stresses in building materials. These cracks normally do not endanger the safety but may look unsightly, create an impression of faulty work or give a feeling of instability.

The main causes of macro defects are generally due to inadequacies in design and / or construction practices.

Concrete defects can be broadly classified into two specific categories:

Macro Defects

If these defects are present, concrete has low strength and will rapidly deteriorate due to easy ingress of water and other chemicals. Invariably, structure will require repairs within a few years of its construction. Causes will have to be analysed and defects removed before doing any additional protective treatment.

Often, waterproofing of concrete slabs is carried out superficially and it fails to give the desired benefit because the defective concrete below this waterproofing layer has not been treated to seal the macro/micro defects which existed within the concrete slab.

The main causes of these defects are generally due to inadequacies in design and / or construction practices.

Micro Defects

These defects are not visible to the naked eye. They are usually very fine voids caused by large capillary pores resulting from the use of low grades (strength) of concrete with high water to cement ratio.

Want to know more?

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