The shopping mall was at handover stage when a fire began in the oasis area. This caused damage to the post-tensioned hollowcore and reinforced concrete slabs and beams. An area of approximately 4,700 m² was affected.
The main contractor contacted CCL to carry out an on-site investigation and propose a strengthening solution to mitigate the effects of the fire on the post-tensioned slabs and beams.
After assessing the damage, CCL carried out specific testing on the affected areas which included jack force testing of the post-tensioned strands and grout inspection of exposed tendons.
Upon completion of the tests, CCL was able to evaluate the damage and losses in the post-tensioned slabs and beams and provide an appropriate solution.
Sand blasting was used to remove dirt and soot from the affected concrete and any unsound concrete was removed mechanically. Refurbishment of the damaged slabs was carried out by manual concrete repair, shotcreting, and the form-and-pump method depending on the depth of concrete.
Once repair work had been completed, CCL carried out structural strengthening for the post-tensioned slabs and beams by adding additional passive reinforcement steel where possible, carrying out concrete jacketing and installing carbon fibre plates and wraps.
CCL worked in parallel with the site team in order to ensure the opening of the mall would not be delayed.
