STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FORUM OF INDIA [SEFI]

P.K.Mallick

The building is G+3(Ground +3 upper floors). It was constructed sometimes in early Eighty. Structural Drawings are not available. There were dowels left in columns for vertical extension. Dowels left for vertical extension appear to be adequate for extension of one more floor. Since structural drawings are not available, theoretically it cannot be determined whether foundations have been designed for G+3 (Ground +3 upper floors) or G+4(Ground +4 upper floors).
Is there any way out? How to determine whether vertical extension is possible or not?

sakumar79 · ... Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 692

Perhaps footings can be exposed at a few locations (only peripheral columns will be feasible) to estimate load capacity and a rough estimate can be made to check if load with the extra floor is within limits... If this is reasonable at a few locations, it may be proceeded with an extra floor...

Otherwise, you can think of going for Truss roof with Aerocon blocks to reduce the extra load on the footings.

Arun

ibarua · General Sponsor Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1039

9th Feb 2009

Re.: Vertical extension of old building

No way to determine soundness of design and construction without proper records, except to go in for expensive and time consuming non-destructive testing.

Best to leave such old "unengineered" (without any drawings and /or records of construction)structures alone.

Indrajit Barua.

On Mon, 09 Feb 2009 P.K.Mallick wrote :

mks · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject:

Dear Sir,

Les us assume after exposing the footing, if it is observed that , pile foundation is adopted. in that case what will be the solution.

Regards

Mithilesh

chandra · SEFI Member Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 8

A thoughtful and proper assessment I think is the first step. Not forgetting that the building’s almost 30 years old i.e. it’s through its half life. Costlier and detailed assessment will give closer results. Please assume greater responsibility if this is a hospital or a school building, or some very important facility.
Regards,
Chandra

From: ibarua [mailto:forum@sefindia.org]
Sent: 09 February 2009 18:49
To: general@sefindia.org
Subject: [SEFI] Re: VERTICAL EXTENSION OF OLD BUILDING.

9th Feb 2009

Re.: Vertical extension of old building

No way to determine soundness of design and construction without proper records, except to go in for expensive and time consuming non-destructive testing.

Best to leave such old "unengineered" (without any drawings and /or records of construction)structures alone.

Indrajit Barua.

On Mon, 09 Feb 2009 P.K.Mallick wrote :
--auto removed--

Posted via Email

sakumar79 · ... Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 692

As I mentioned, if it is not feasible to verify foundation capacity you can go for aerocon blocks with truss roof... This will not overload the structure too much even if it has been designed for G+3 only.

Arun

P.K.Mallick · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:42 am Post subject:

My question is "whether there is any scientific way to assess the load carrying capacity of foundations of an old building". Any methodology explained in any of the publications? Whether somebody has carried out this type of work? If yes,then how it has been assessed?

pravin.pai

Dear Mr Mallick:

As a good CE, it is not advisable to go in for extra loading, 'blind-folded'. Remember a Bandra (East) building collapse some years ago wherein a Str.Engr. of reputed stature had added 3 more floors to a building also previously designed by him.
Moreover, if this project of yours is in Mumbai, remember underground drainage leakages deteriorates the foundations more than the super structure.
So without earlier str.dwgs. do not risk additional load
regards
pravin pai

On 2/9/09, P.K.Mallick <forum@sefindia.org (forum@sefindia.org)> wrote:

vikram.jeet · General Sponsor Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 2212

CBRI Roorkee may be checked up for undertaking such studies
on old buildings and their foundations

vikramjeet

Posted via Email

sdec.in · Silver Sponsor Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 473

with Pile foundations, it's going to be very tricky,as it maybe difficult to examine the no and spacing and exact arrangement of piles. it's length below cut-off lvl, grade of concrete used and r/f provided in piles.
Let's hope it's isolated footings, otherwise the ptoblem at hand will become more complex and almost unmanageable(will need elaborate investigations by a Professional agencyand in fact the cost thus incurred maybe very steep).
Regards
Sangeeta Wij