masonry / hollow clay tile construction 1

[boffintech]

Got a 4 story building from 1920 constructed of hollow clay tiles. Not yet sure if these were end-laid of side-laid. The exterior walls have an additional brick veneer whereas the interior walls do not.

What information, if any, can be gained from GPR and coring?

The elevated slabs are also HCT overlaid with concrete. Not yet sure if these are of arch or flat construction.

Same question: What information, if any, can be gained from GPR and coring?

 

[BAretired]

No useful information can be gained from Ground Penetrating Radar. Coring would tell you if the hollow tiles were filled with concrete or not.

In the case of elevated slabs, I would expect that the hollow tiles were used simply as forms to reduce dead load. The end result, I believe, would be a waffle slab. Reinforcement would likely be placed in each rib between the tiles and perhaps a wire mesh in the slab above the tiles.

You will have to inspect the slabs to confirm.

BA