Masonry Wall Repair Approach

[charliealphabravo]

I am preparing a proposal to inspect and repair an 18' high masonry wall that was reportedly damaged by wind (river valley in Alberta). From the photos I have, the wall is cracked along the parapet and looks like it was nearly blown down. I suspect that the wall is minimally reinforced and will require a retrofit in addition to realignment and crack repair. I have retrofitted masonry walls in the past on a smaller scale by reinforcing and grouting individual cells but I am not entirely confident in the result for a project this size.

I'd like to see if anyone can suggest some options for repairing/reinforcing a wall of this size (130' long) if a load analysis demonstrates that the strength of the wall as originally constructed is inadequate. Replacement is also on the table as an option but I think it will seem a bit extreme to the client unless I have legitimate reservations about the reliability of a repair. Ideally I'd like to anticipate the repair approach in my initial proposal but this may be unrealistic.

Thanks in advance.

 

[charliealphabravo]

A closer photograph of the separation at the top of the wall...

 

[jayrod12]

That looks like one hell of a wind.

If it is just the parapet that is the issue could you not do a steel frame along the inside of the wall, i.e. a steel angle running against the wall along the entire top and then some form of uprights that are anchored to the wall inside the attic space? It's not a great detail but it would do the job, flashing and finishing it might be a tough job though.

 

[charliealphabravo]

Yes a big wind or a poorly reinforced wall I am thinking.

It looks like the wall has been pushed inward causing an opening at the top near the parapet. The cracks along the parapet look to be widest at the middle of each bay where there is no interior partition wall to brace it. It looks like there is also compression failure of the face shells on the outside near mid-height. I think they very nearly lost the entire building but I will know more when I have seen the site for myself.

 

[tsaldana]

Have you ruled out foundation problems? Maybe you could do an elevation survey of the top of the slab to either support your theory or rule out a foundation problem. Are their any other signs of disstress in the othe parts of the building or is that one and only separation in the whole building?