HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
(OP)
We had to design some dunnage steel that is supported on posts that sit on existing columns on the roof of a building. We did some props in order to locate the columns and realized that the slab construction is made with cinder concrete. There are steel beams from column to column 16" deep however the slab is just gravel-like. we were able to put a rod through 5'-0 down all the way to the ceiling. At The contractor was able to pull out a steel rod 8'-0 long that had rusted.
I suspect that the rod is sort of a tension reinforcement. if there are more rods and they are rusted then will we have a collapse? Maybe. So how do i start investigating this case? I was just hired to do the dunnage. How is the new investigation introduced? I simply do not know if there is a real problem. Any ideas will be highly appreciated.
I suspect that the rod is sort of a tension reinforcement. if there are more rods and they are rusted then will we have a collapse? Maybe. So how do i start investigating this case? I was just hired to do the dunnage. How is the new investigation introduced? I simply do not know if there is a real problem. Any ideas will be highly appreciated.






RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
Soft concrete, rusted steel, pulling out rebar from concrete.....I agree with DaveMinter above - sounds dodgy.
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
If so then it sounds like what they call slab and beam construction (or something like that) in the UK. The concrete is assumed to arch between the steel beams and the rods are probably in place to stop the end beams from spreading.
csd
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
I don't know what Dunnage is, but it seems likley that you have implicitly assumed that the slab is safe in winning this work. The slab safety is now doubtful so you cannot continue to design on the assumption that it is...
It sounds like the owner will have to pay someone to investigate further. Until such time as that is done - It's not your problem.
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
RE: HISTORIC SLAB CONSTRUCTION-IS IT STILL SAFE??
By the way dunnage refers to the steel on the roof to support mechanical equipment. This steel does not bear directly on the roof but rather on the existing columns below via steel posts.
The roof under question has an area of approximatelly 6500 square feet.