Structural Investigation of a Shop House Affected by Fire Damage

This report describes the investigation of a shop house affected by fire damage, including objectives, methodologies, and solutions. The author was responsible for identifying the most crucial problematic area and proposing innovative techniques for the proper and effective functioning and delivery of the project. The report also includes distinctive activities, identified issues, and their solutions. The subject, course code, course name, and college/university are not mentioned.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 3
MOHAMED, MOHAMOUD

CE 3.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Structural Investigation of a Shop House Affected by Fire Damage
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Supervisor
CE 3.2 Project Background
CE 3.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Fire can be much disastrous than any other threat for the concrete buildings and I was
assigned to a project for the protection of the reinforced concrete made, double shop-house
building from the fire. I had to investigate the damage caused by the fire on the structure of the
building. It was identified that the building was extensively damaged by the fire and the cause of
the fire was at the central location of the building that caused serious damage to the beams and
columns. I had to re-structure the building in a manner that the owner can efficiently reutilize the
building. I had to repair all the damages caused by the fire on the columns and beams and make
sure that the property could be utilized by the owner for rehabilitating the working environment.
CE 3.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
I developed and set the following objectives for the successful and efficient delivery of
the project:

 To determine the overall integrity and remaining life of the structure
 To determine the tensile strength of the reinforcing steel in the structure
 To determine the variation of the concrete strength within the building
 To assess the extent of damage, areas needing urgent repair and recommend repairs
required
 To determine the current condition of the building, including accessibility
 To propose future maintenance plan.
CE 3.2.3 My area of work
I was assigned as an investigator of the place damaged by the fire and propose the best
approaches those could be utilized for fixing the damages caused by the fire. I had to visit the
site for the identification of the budget, timeline and other factors those are necessary for the
project proposal and proposing a feasible constraints for the project proposal. I set the following
strategies for the repairing of the damaged parts of the building:
 Full structural rehabilitation
 Bring the structure capacity to original level
 Bring the structure capacity to somewhat lower than original but safe in order
to reduce cost
 Bring the structure capacity to a higher level
 Restoration of durability through protection

 Partial strengthening
 Monitoring and Periodic inspection
I had evaluated the entire assessment damages and proposed the assessment methodology
that includes the application of Covermeter for identifying the place of the concrete placed in the
building after the fire damage. I collected the cylindrical samples for through using the core
drilling machine in manner to determine the compressive strength of the components possessed
by the concretes of the building. I used the computer programme and tensile strength test for
performing the tests those could analysed the strength of the concretes.
CE 3.2.4 Project Group
CE 3.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was responsible for investing the entire project damage caused by the fire and analyse
the entire environment and propose the best methodologies those could be utilized for analysing
the current condition. I had to make sure that all the damaged areas are being identified in proper

manner and proposed proposal is feasible for the owner to proceed with the damage repairing
activities. I had to assure that the strength of the materials have been identified and identifying
the parameters related to the strength and composition of the materials left in the building after
the fire damage. I had to run the laboratory tests on this specimens collected from the building
structure and analyse them with different tools and techniques and identify the heat resistance
property and other properties.
CE 3.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 3.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
I considered the theoretical concept that the concrete is a durable material which has inherent
robustness if designed and constructed properly. Beside its structural, economical, and
architectural advantages, concrete also performs very well in the event of fire. Since concrete is
weak in compression, it is not used in plain form but rather practical applications normally use
reinforced concrete which is a combination of conventional concrete and reinforcing steel. The
reinforcement caters for the tensile stresses and controls cracking. The steel is a combustible
material and if adequate cover is not given to it, the fire will reach the steel fast and thus member
capacity will drop dramatically.
CE 3.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I investigated the strengthening and stabilization of the left structure of the
building after fighting the fire and repaired them through considering the following processes:

I used the enlargement procedure for managing the damaged structural components like
beams and columns can be enlarged to increase their stiffness and load carrying capacity as
depicted in the following images
Figure 1: Enlargement
I identified the composite construction of the building after fire case and identified that steel
plates and FRP materials can be attached to structural elements with the help of adhesive or

mechanical methods in order to increase load-carrying capacity and many other beneficial
properties.
Figure 2: Composite construction
We had also used the Post-Tensioning technique that was helpful in managing the Externally
or internally placed prestressing tendons may be used to provide very high flexural and shear
capacity to structural members.

Figure 3: Post Tensioning
Thereafter, I performed the stress reduction investigation that is a method of reliving over-
stressed structure by many techniques including cutting new expansion joints, jacking displaced
structures, installing isolation bearings and possible removal of portions of structures.
Figure 4: Stress Reduction

CE 3.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I had investigated the entire site and contributed in the identification of the sections those
are considerable and crucial for repairing the damaged building in manner to assure that the
repairing will allow the owner to rehabilitate the building for the working purpose. Following
are the repair placement methods those have been utilized for the repair placement of the
damaged areas of the building:
Dry Pack
Figure 5: Dry Pack
Form and Cast-in-Place

Figure 6: Form and Cast-in-Place
Form and Pump
Figure 7: Form and Pump
Dry Shotcrete

Figure 8: Dry Shotcrete
Wet Shotcrete
Figure 9: Wet Shotcrete

Hand-Applied
Figure 10: Hand-Applied
Full Depth Repair
Figure 11: Full Depth Repair

Grouted Pre-placed Aggregate
Figure 12: Grouted Pre-placed Aggregate

CE 3.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
3.3.4.1 Issues
I investigated and identified that the corrosion damaged concrete has been very altered
and the repairing of this concrete will be very difficult in manner to manage the entire repair.
Communication with the team members was another issue identified while delivering the project
that lead to certain conflicts and loss of interest among the stakeholders.
3.3.4.2 Solutions
I suggested to use both the methods including the physical and electrochemical
techniques in manner to assure that the repairing will be delivered in an efficient and effective
manner. I communicated with the team members on regular basis and maintained some good
relationship with them in manner to assure that they will be cooperating with the decision-
making.
CE 3.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
Electrochemical techniques are not very new in the market however; the application of
this technique is very few in the present world. I used the electrochemical techniques in manner
to apply this technique to the structures those have been already damaged by the corrosion. It
reverses by eliminating the anodic sites (corrosion sites) by progressing the steel to a cathodic
state. It has two methods:
 Sacrificial/Galvanic Anode CP
 Impressed Current System CP

Figure 13: electrochemical technique for repairing corroded concrete
CE 3.3.6 Collaborative work
I always consider to work in a team as it allows to see the project from different
perspective allowing the decisions to be far better than the decision made through analysing the
problem from one perspective. I was assigned for Investigating and analysing the sectors those
have been damaged due to fire and repair them in an efficient and effective manner.
CE 3.4 Project Review
CE 3.4.1 Project Overview
After the investigation, I found that the original concrete at the central location especially on the
underneath of the floor slab would pose a danger to the occupants if left without hacking and
replacing some bottom reinforcement in the slab and some columns and beams. My team and I
contributed in strengthening and rehabilitation measures if implemented will upgrade the

structural performance of the building as errors in the design and construction noted will be
taken care during this stage of assessment and reconstruction rehabilitation. We had successfully
patched and repaired the damaged plastered walls and ceilings and also replaced the damaged
acoustic ceiling.
CE 3.4.2 My contribution to work
I supervised the entire project and considered the best approaches of the management and
engineering techniques for managing the growth and development of the project as per the set
objectives and goals. I identified the most crucial problematic area and proposed the innovative
technique that could be utilized for the proper and effective functioning and delivery of the
project.