Assessment and repair of the bearing structure of a multi-storey parking garage

Abstract

The construction of a multi-storey parking garage in Kikinda, Serbia started 20 years ago. The bearing structure was made of precast concrete columns, beams and ribbed floor slabs. After building of the bearing precast structure, the works were stopped and the unprotected structure was exposed to atmospheric influences (snow, rain, low temperatures). Many of the structure’s elements were subsequently damaged due to insufficient concrete cover, badly performed reinforcement and incorrect manipulation of elements during erection. The initial defects and damage worsened to the extent that they not only severely affected the durability of the structure, but also jeopardised the stability and bearing capacity of some structural elements. Fissures and cracks, concrete spalling and reinforcement corrosion were registered on most of the structural elements. This paper presents the damage recorded, and the characteristic instances are illustrated by photographs. The results of subsequent testing of quality of built-in materials (concrete and reinforcement) are presented separately. To establish the actual condition of the bearing structure of the garage, an examination was done under load testing. The analysis of the results of in-situ and laboratory testing and the data gathered through detailed visual examination provided the basis for real assessment of the structure. Some specific repair solutions for durability improvement and insuring of load bearing capacity and stability of the existing structure are also presented. © 2007 Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.