Obetonade

Obetonade is a term used in civil engineering and fortification contexts to describe structures or components that have been encased or reinforced with concrete. The word is derived from beton, the term for concrete in many languages, and is used in some Central and Eastern European technical vocabulary to indicate that a masonry element has been strengthened or protected by a concrete layer or shell.

In practice, obetonade can refer to a concrete overlay applied to stone, brick, or timber to improve strength, weather resistance, and fire protection, or to the construction of concrete shells around existing elements such as walls, columns, or vaults. Common applications include reinforcement of exterior walls in historic buildings, protective casings for bunkers or fortifications, tunnel linings, foundations, and the repair or upgrading of damaged masonry.

Construction methods for obetonade vary with the context. They may involve pouring concrete into forms, applying a concrete overlay through casting, or using sprayed concrete (shotcrete) in some situations. Reinforcement with steel bars or mesh is often employed to increase tensile strength and crack resistance. Proper detailing is essential to ensure bond between the old substrate and the new concrete, and adequate curing is required to achieve the desired concrete properties.

Advantages of obetonade include increased compressive strength, reduced permeability, and extended service life of the protected structure. Potential drawbacks are added weight, the need for careful design to avoid differential movement between substrates, and the risk of corrosion of embedded reinforcement if protection is compromised. See also reinforced concrete, concrete overlay, and fortification techniques.