INSTRUCTOR: Alexander Newman, P.E., F.ASCE

Purpose and Background

Many existing buildings are framed with concrete and masonry. These two materials, while strong and durable, are also brittle; without adequate reinforcement they tend to crack and fail under load. The engineers involved in renovation projects often seek guidance on their evaluation, repair, and strengthening, but the information they receive is sometimes unclear and even contradictory. The purpose of this seminar is to provide a concise and practical primer on the renovation of concrete and masonry structures and to present a variety of investigative and rehabilitation techniques that work.

The presentation covers a multitude of practical issues related to condition evaluation, repair, and strengthening of concrete and masonry. The main focus is on buildings, but the discussion would be useful to the engineers involved with the other types of structures as well. Most of the seminar time is devoted to examining the problems experienced by concrete and masonry structures and to specific condition-assessment and renovation techniques to evaluate and remedy these problems. For both materials, the discussion starts with a brief overview of the existing framing systems, outlines their typical problems, explains why they occur, and presents practical remedial solutions. The seminar is jam-packed with useful design tips and renovation details. The participants will leave with a sense of being able to tackle all kinds of projects involving renovation of concrete and masonry structures, from their condition assessment to preparation of construction documents.

The discussion is illustrated by case studies, examples, and must-have design details. The attendees are encouraged to participate and share their experiences throughout the presentation. The instruction will utilize a combination of lecture, class discussion, answering the participants’ questions, and refreshing the discussion through a post-seminar exam.

Seminar Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

• Distinguish between the advantages and disadvantages of various condition assessment methods used for evaluation of concrete and masonry structures. 
• List the most effective techniques for repairing cast-in-place and post-tensioned concrete structures and how to prevent premature – and unfortunately very common – failures of the repairs.
• Explain out what can be done to remedy slabs on grade in distress.
• List various methods of strengthening concrete framing and masonry walls. Find out how to improve load-carrying capacities of beams, one-way slabs, columns, and walls.   
• Discuss cost-effective approaches to wind and seismic retrofit of archaic concrete and masonry buildings.
• Determine load-carrying capacities of deteriorated concrete framing when the existing drawings are not available. 
• Explain when a building being renovated must be upgraded to comply with the code for new construction. Learn to determine when it is appropriate to renovate and determine when to consider replacement instead.
• Apply practical techniques for condition evaluation, repair, and strengthening of concrete and masonry structures.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students will take a test at the end of the class with questions addressing topics learned throughout the course.

Who Should Attend?

Structural and civil engineers interested in learning about practical techniques for condition evaluation, repair, and strengthening of concrete and masonry structures.

Seminar Outline

TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

DAY 1

• Introduction
• Concrete: Early structural systems in the United States
• Properties of existing concrete and reinforcing bars
• Some building-code provisions for structural renovation of concrete structures
• Concrete problems and their cause
• Deterioration
• Cracking
• Corrosion
• Delamination
• Other
• Evaluation of concrete structures
• Performing a condition survey
• Destructive and nondestructive evaluation techniques
• Full-scale load testing
• Concrete repair
• When repairs are allowed and when structural upgrade is needed
• Crack repairs
• Patching
• Remediation of damage caused by corrosion
• Dealing with column deterioration
• Avoiding failures of repairs
• Concrete strengthening
• Flexural members 
• Columns 
• Making openings in concrete slabs
• Problems and renovation of slabs on grade
• Renovation of post-tensioned concrete
• Some common systems and the problems they tend to experience
• Methods of repair
• Wind and seismic retrofit of concrete structures
• Some building-code provisions
• Practical techniques

DAY 2

• Strengthening of concrete foundations
• Available options
• Underpinning techniques
• Masonry: Historical developments in the United States
• Existing masonry materials and systems
• Properties of existing masonry
• Some building-code provisions for structural renovation of masonry structures
• Common masonry problems
• Specific problems of masonry facades
• Repair of separating wythes
• Wall leakage
• Evaluation of masonry structures
• Performing a condition survey
• Destructive and nondestructive evaluation techniques
• Methods of masonry repair
• Repair of masonry cracks
• Repair of deteriorated masonry
• Strengthening masonry walls
• Wind and seismic retrofit of masonry structures
• Some building-code provisions
• Practical techniques
• Making openings in masonry walls
• Renovation of masonry arches
• Conclusion, final Q&A, post-course quiz

Important Details About Your Seminar