Honeycombs || Definition, Causes & How to repair

Honeycombs can be defined as the rough, pitted surface or voids in concrete due to incomplete filling of the concrete against the formwork.

Normally honeycombs were observed in structural elements such as columns lift walls and a few beams as well. 

Causes of honeycomb and voids include the following reasons:

• Stiff or unworkable concrete
• Over vibrating the poker the concrete
• Addition of the more water during mixing or improper water-cement ratio.
• Improper placing practices such as pouring or releasing the concrete from an improper height.
• The grout will start to leak through the small voids and from the bottom voids of the formwork.
• It will also cause the plywood to swell and will also change the dimensions and the cross-section area of the structural elements.

How to repair honeycombs:  

1. Initially, the particles of concrete & loosened aggregates mostly coarse aggregates should be removed by using a chipping hammer and a wire brush.
2. Next, the area should be cleaned thoroughly with a wire brush to remove finer particles and should be washed.
3. Let the surface dry well and apply “Chemi-fix” glue on the affected area.
4. Then, mix the construction grout along with white cement & water as recommended by the manufacturer's specifications (the reason for adding white cement is to get the required color of the mixture).
5. Afterward, the mixture should be poured or pasted on the affected area where the honeycombs have occurred.
6. The formwork should be removed after 12 hours and should be cured properly.

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