Title: Rehabilitation of a Fire Damaged Structure

Author(s): R.L. Nene and P. S. Kavle

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 128

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1195-1212

Keywords: beams (supports); columns (supports); cores; damage; fires; cracking (fracturing); industrial buildings; nondestructive tests; reinforcement; repairs; slabs; strength; structural members; Construction

DOI: 10.14359/3469

Date: 11/1/1991

Abstract:
An intense fire in the antioxidant plant of a chemical factory near Bombay caused extensive damage to the reinforced concrete frame of the building as well as to the flooring, equipment, fixtures, and fittings. Consultants were appointed to investigate the damaged structure and later to design and supervise the rehabilitation work. After the preliminary investigation, the consultants decided that it was not necessary to demolish the structure, as long as it was possible to restore the structural members at a reasonable cost and within a short time span. In addition to visual inspection and sounding, extensive nondestructive tests were conducted to determine the extent of damage and the residual strength of the important load-carrying members of the structures. The findings of the investigations were analyzed and the restoration system was designed by the consultants. The paper outlines the considerations that led to restoration of the structure in preference to demolition, the details of investigations, the analysis of the findings, and the successful rehabilitation techniques that followed.