Fire Damaged Structures

Fire Damaged Structures

Most fire-damaged structures can be successfully repaired, this being the more cost-effective solution than demolition and reconstruction. Before carrying out any repair it is necessary to determine the extent of the damage to the concrete, and hence how much must be removed and replaced. Similarly the effect on the reinforcement must be determined and hence the requirement for any additional steel. These aspects are covered in the separate entries.

Defects and deterioration/Load related defects/Assessment of fire-damaged structures

Design/Approach/Redesign of fire-damaged structures.

The methods used for the repair of fire-damaged concrete are no different from those used for the repair of concrete damaged by corrosion of the reinforcement, with advice available from various sources, including Concrete Society Technical Reports 26, Repair of concrete damaged by reinforcement corrosion and 38, Patch repair of concrete subject to reinforcement corrosion.

For reinforced concrete, the main processes to be undertaken are as follows:

• Removal of damaged or weakened concrete
• Replacement of weakened reinforcement
• Replacement of concrete both to reinstate the original form and to provide adequate structural capacity, durability and fire resistance. In some circumstances there may also be a requirement for the reinstatement of special finishes and appearance.

Fire Damaged Structure Assessment

Every distressed structure has a story. When it comes to fire-damaged structures, the story unfolds with intensity and adversity. Stepping into a fire-damaged structure itself is an emotionally and technically challenging task. To an asset owner or a decision maker, it becomes a tough task to resume the operations, since it requires assessment, retrofitting and certifying the structure and consultants with specific expertise in this field are hard to find.

Fire damage is rarely confined to one area. Its destructive effects can usually be seen throughout the structure. Assessing the true impact of a fire requires meticulous understanding of various parameters, such as ventilation, the presence and types of combustible materials, fire duration, temperatures reached, concrete cover depth, design safety factors and more. With advanced concrete tomography machine, we could peer into the depths of distressed concrete to see the cavities and internal cracking that may have formed due to fire.

With our dedicated team, we strive to provide accurate assessments by analyzing each structure with due diligence. Our team even includes a specialist with several years of doctoral research experience on impact of fire on structural steel at IIT, ensuring an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise. We understand that restoring fire-damaged structures requires nothing less than an expert in the field and we have the confidence to deliver.

When you entrust Vijna Consulting Engineers with your structure, you can be assured that we leave no stone unturned in reaching the most economically optimal and technically apt solutions, reducing undue escalation of costs in retrofitting while ensuring the safety and stability of the structure. Experience the expertise and reliability that only Vijna Consulting Engineers can offer when it comes to restoring your fire-damaged structure.