The deterioration of reinforced concrete structures has become a major problem for their owners. The deterioration may be due to a number of causes such as electrochemical processes, physical processes, chemical processes and mechanical damage. The repair and rehabilitation of damaged concrete structures has evolved into a major growth sector in the past decades. A repaired structure has to fulfil the strength and durability criteria so that it can achieve a specified design life with the expected levels of maintenance. Unfortunately, however, many times 'repairs of repairs' are needed due to the insufficiency of the original repair in restoring a structure to a desired level of performance. Currently there is little general guidance available on the redistribution of stresses within a reinforced concrete structure during and after repair. It is not only that which prompted this literature review, but also the sometimes inconsistent views among engineers on whether a structure should be propped during the repairs or left unpropped. 31 pages.