Exposed Concrete Block Wall

[once]

I have been asked to structurally examine a partly finished building. It has been left unattended for 12months.

The construction is solid concrete block walls 7m high, which have been uncapped.

The walls have been exposed to heavy rain and the top courses of block look water logged.

Does any one have advise or suggest documents relating to the long term affects this might have had on the concrete blocks?

 

[msquared48]

DSid it get below freezing for an extended period of time last winter in your area - liked a week or more?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[once]

Yes, we had very bad snow for a week in Feb

 

[msquared48]

Any evidence of any spalling?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[BAretired]

Where is the building? Can you post a photograph? Is the top of wall laterally braced? Is there a concrete filled bond beam at the top?

BA

 

[once]

none at the low level, but the main contractor must provide access to the high level where the block appeared to be wet.

THis is a cavity wall, 100 block, 100 cavity, 100 block so I should also check the cavity

 

[once]

BA

There is no band beam and the cavity was open at the top.

The walls are only braced of an access platform, the first floor was not installed at 3m leave the entire 7m unrestrained. A gable wall of 2m above the remainding 7m fell in over the winter.

Sorry no digital photos

The building is in Eire

 

[msquared48]

Pennsylvania?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[msquared48]

My guts tell me to be very concerned structurally with the top four feet of the wall, at least.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[once]

Dublin - Eire - Europe!

This has helped focus my thought

Thanks for your help

Tom

 

[BAretired]

The first thing to do is brace the wall against lateral forces and cover the top to prevent further ingress of water. Make sure that the two wythes are properly tied together to enable them to act as a cavity wall. Examine the inside and outside face of each wall for signs of cracking.

Remove some of the blocks near the top, noting the quality and apparent strength of the mortar. Then run a compression test on the removed blocks, noting the mode of failure as well as the breaking load.

If the materials pass all of the above, I think you can feel reasonably confident that the walls are okay.














BA

 

[once]

Thanks BA

 

[hokie66]

Don't you have wind in Ireland? That wall should have failed in a gentle breeze.