Portland Cement-based cement and concrete systems are one of the main architectural materials over the last half century. The requirements of extensive modifications to existing building structures has led to an interest in the possibilities of laser-based processing of such structures. Of major importance in this case is the structural and microstructural integrity of the remaining material, as well as the release of potentially harmful particulates into the surrounding atmosphere. In this paper, we present an investigation in the possibilities of surface modifications and drilling of these materials, using a Nd:YAG laser system at 1 omega and 2 omega. The concrete systems involved are based on the B45 and B55 standard. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.