Concrete support columns

[phil327]

We are doing concrete restoration here in Southern Florida. Our Condo has a covered carport for the owners. The structure is a simple 4 inch thick concrete roof supported by 12 inch diameter concrete columns with rebar. A number of the columns have damage and the company doing the restoration work has removed 1/2 of the diameter of the column due to concrete problems. They have added temporary support columns while they are doing the work. This is not the entire length of the column but 2-3 feet above ground. They have a a number of BASF N-425 premixed mortar bags on site. Is this the correct material for the columns? I ask because BASF calls this a lightweight material. thank you

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

It appears to be not quite as strong as the gunite used for many repairs of that type. You can compare compressive strength (probably the main one for your columns) and other strength/elasticity/etc factors.

BASF N-425:
- http://www.buildingsystems.basf.com/p02 ... 25-tds.pdf

Gunite:
- http://www.buildsite.com/pdf/fivestarpr ... 630310.pdf
- (there are various strength mixtures gunite, above is just one of them)

You would need to go with what they are supplying at this time due to not having followed through on inspections of the project as it has progressed. If you make any changes to the specified product then you, not the engineer, becomes responsible for whether it works or not.