Among major tasks involved in the replacement of a thermal power plant are the demolishment and dismantlement of the existing plant, and the accompanying disposal of wastes. In disassembling and dismantling the existing plant, it is important to study a method to use members of the existing structure in their original conditions, to the maximum extent possible. In view of these circumstances, we studied the soundness, as a concrete material, of a reinforced concrete caisson foundation that has suffered aged deterioration. Our study revealed no such structure-related problems as concrete cracking, alkali-aggregate reaction and reinforcement corrosion. Also, the concrete compressive strength was higher than the design standard by a sufficient margin. Based on these results, we judged that the studied caisson was sound regarding its material aspects.
