Seismic retrofit is a protective engineering discipline with regard to the resistance of any kind of civil structure against seismic activity and ground motion. In locations with major seismic activity (large seismic demands), the structural capacity against a future earthquake event should be reliable and well acknowledged. The vast majority of old structures were designed without adequate detailing and reinforcement for sufficient seismic protection. Thus, the need of those structures to comply with the modern seismic guidelines is substantial. DYCON is able to provide active as well as passive protection against seismic actions, with all the relevant state-of-the-art solutions (i.e., seismic isolation, increase of plastic behavior of structural elements by using G/CFRP materials, etc.) and technical knowledge with regard to the seismic assessment and upgrade, in order to make any structure adequate in withstanding future seismic events.

Structures, depending on their geographic location, may be subjected to a variety of natural phenomena such as windstorms, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. DYCON has the capacity to identify structural deficiencies pertaining to these actions and to implement appropriately designed protection measures. The main protection interventions are related to raising the shield levels of these structures to preserve them against natural hazards and to ensure that they will continue to operate safely protecting at the same time human lives.

A vast majority of structures or certain structural components are often exposed to aggressive environments (i.e., salt/sea water, very corrosive substances, acids, industrial environments etc.), rendering them vulnerable and producing the need of particular actions to secure those elements against the deterioration that the harsh environments cause. DYCON can offer independent, cost-effective and sustainable advanced protection systems and corrosion testing services. The majority of the systems offered are totally impermeable, thus significantly lowering the corrosion rate while confining existing members. Protective, pigmented epoxy coating, providing improved aesthetics and long term durability can be designed and installed to prevent the onset of corrosion when applied to existing or new structural elements.

Governmental premises and other structures of high security and importance very frequently require a protection against fire events. Fire protection systems have turned to be the “new fashion” in the strengthening industry across all the developed countries. In-house research and development programs in fire protection systems have resulted in modern materials and solutions which can be now offered by DYCON to owners, agencies and engineers.

Road networks are of vital importance for the transportation of goods and people. Protection measures for the life extension and day-to-day operation improvement of major infrastructures related to the road networks (i.e., bridges, tunnels, etc.) are very important and expensive. State-of-the-art technologies provided by DYCON have been developed, designed and manufactured to mitigate the vulnerability of such infrastructures. Through high-fidelity physics-based (HFPB) finite element models and live testing, DYCON engineers provide efficient, cost-effective and site specific solutions.

Building interventions are the most common type of strengthening solutions. Rehabilitation and strengthening to all kind structural elements (columns, beams, slabs and walls) can be provided by DYCON. The purpose of those interventions is usually to increase the load-bearing capacity (i.e., shear strength, flexural strength, ductility, confinement) of the structural members. In addition, rehabilitation and strengthening solutions can be used in all types of construction materials, that is, reinforced concrete, steel, masonry and wood.

Industrial structures present many unique problems compounded by their challenging environments. Thus, fast and sustainable solutions are needed, in order to prevent high shutdown costs. DYCON has the technical knowledge and the relevant tools to retrofit reinforced concrete or steel support structures such as pipe racks, equipment structures, pedestals, coker units and many more. Structures that need the strengthening/rehabilitation solutions in that field include industrial chimneys, silos, tanks, pressure vessels, pipelines, energy facilities, and nuclear power plants.

DYCON implements modern technologies and techniques for the trenchless rehabilitation and strengthening sewage systems and pipeline networks under operation. Minimum or zero shutdown periods are the greatest advantage of these methods.
Manhole rehabilitation is an operational area where DYCON is very specialized. Manholes are confined spaces that suffer serious chemical attack from hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S), a colorless gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. H2S is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and explosive. Once H2S has formed, it has the ability to corrode construction materials in sewer networks, resulting in the need for refurbishment. Refurbishing manhole chambers with DYMAT Inc. Systems provides a long-term, sustainable solution that is proven to add value, extend life and reduce maintenance to the asset. Manholes that have suffered from years of neglect or chemical attack can be completely refurbished with a high-quality DYCON lining, avoiding the costly inconvenience of replacing the whole manhole chamber and its periodic maintenance.