Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
(OP)
Just got through providing details for a single story wood building modification. It is a complete removal of interior and exterior skin to the structural components. In the process, the contractor found extensive rot in this building. See attached images. The beams are all glulam beams. It appears the glue in the lamination's is probably almost all compromised.
I don't see any way to do a repair other than replace everything. Does anyone else have any less costly suggestions? The contractor is requesting a site visit, but I don't see the need based on the pictures.
I don't see any way to do a repair other than replace everything. Does anyone else have any less costly suggestions? The contractor is requesting a site visit, but I don't see the need based on the pictures.






RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
I would replace everything sketchy if I were the owner. And determine a cause for this.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike: What epoxy products would you use? I haven't had to do any rot repairs yet in my career...this is a first.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
It does look bad, but if there is any chance of litigation here due to envelope breaches, I would conduct a site visit and document all the detail firsthand so you can talk to it - depth of deterioration, net remaining structural section, framing members deteriorated noted in a framing plan, etc, etc., etc.. You SHOULD write a report to address what you find too, with pictures.
Also, in the first picture, there looks like there is a joint in the framing at the left end of the edge glulam. What is holding it up?
Things like the above the contractor may not pick up. You physically need to be there. No Mr. nice guy on this one.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Link
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
It was a historical structure and access around the elements enabled such a repair/strengthening.
Simpson Strong-Tie (www.strongtie.com), FYFE (www.fyfeco.com) and SIKA (www.usa.sika.com) have composite systems and epoxy systems for wood structures, but you case seems pretty extreme as far a extent, cost and practically.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
mssquared48: I already sent a question to the contractor regarding the joint...I looked at it that picture and did the WTF double take.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
I'm guessing the owner will want to do an insurance claim for damage.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
You have to be somewhat innovative, depending on the depth of rot and access to the work faces.
We used 5" electric grinders with wire-wheel attachments, small percussion-chipping tools, air-powered needle-guns, steel brushes, and all related items. Dry-vac up the cuttings, and then oil-free air blow with a needle point. Repeat as necessary.
Crude, but effective.
For glulam, if the laminations have separated, or the bond line has broken-down (assuming no rot to the subject laminations), it is possible to epoxy inject the laminations using traditional 2-components injection resin that are used for concrete repairs (i.e. injection ports, back seal, epoxy pump etc).
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
The trusses that are bearing on the double top plate are rotten on the bottom chords as well.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Planers work, but slow, as you stated.
Often the depth of damage varies substantially long the length of the beam, so a planer tends to remove to constant depth, taking out both good and bad wood.
We have found that a 5" electric grinder with wire wheels is very productive: daisy-wheel type for getting into local deeper pockets, and cup-type for larger flat surfaces. Also great for creating a rough bond texture if FRP is to be used for strengthening.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
I was thinking a wire grinder of some sort.
If the remaining section is adequate, replacing the lost section may not be necessary.
Use a wood preservative in the areas where material was removed.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Agree.
Agree.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
It will come down to what the insurance company will pay for and what the structural engineer recommends.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
When you go to site take a cordless grinder with a wire brush. A good cordless grinder will tell you a lot. I expect once you touch many of the areas with a grinder you will find a lot of more of the cross section will disappear very quickly. Rot is a lot like rust. Once you can see it you will find you have a lot more once you start repairing the problem.
A power planer works well to remove material if you intend to bond additional wood to the surface. It will leave a nice clean surface you can achieve a very good bond too and they can remove material quickly since they are 4" - 6" wide.
I trust you have figured out the aspect of the building envelope that failed.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Like Everything. Keep samples of whatever the contractor takes off the building, the beams you check, etc. Take a look at ASCE 11-99 (http://www.asce.org/templates/publications-book-de...), if you're in the States.
That looks like some serious water damage. I'd recommend shoring and sample testing at several locations. And yes, use that awl until there's none left!
Good luck.
Please remember: we're not all guys!
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Please remember: we're not all guys!
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
The truss picture posted: obviously the bottom chord is gone at the bearing, and it looks like the top chord is probably compromised as well. The plate bearing below the truss is most likely a goner, as well as what looks like (or used to be) a simpson hurricane tie.
I will post pictures after my site visit. As I have said, I haven't dealt with rot before...fire damage yes, rot no. I will have a plethora of questions for the group.
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Please remember: we're not all guys!
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
Do a search on Eng-tips using 'dry-rot' and 'dik' as the handle. There are numerous hits with some excellent information from many posters.
Dik
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?
RE: Glulam Rot - Any Way to Remediate?