The Brief

Following investigation and survey work it was noted that some cladding sections were identified as loose due to inferior fixings incapable of resisting the expansive forces created through the deterioration of the reinforced concrete frame to which they were attached with each pilaster weighing around 25kg, any that failed and fell could prove lethal to pedestrians using the building.

The Solution

South West Concrete Repairs Ltd were contracted to carry out the re-securing and concrete repairs to the cladding panels. The works entailed core drilling through the face of the cladding panel and also forming a countersink. Percussion drilling into the main frame of the building and resin anchoring stainless steel bolts.

The size and quantity of fixings per panel needed to be made by a structural engineer and the John Grimes Partnership carried out these calculations and carried out on site pull-off tests and monitoring works.

The cost implications and impracticality of lifting out every individual panel for repair meant the panel repairs had to be carried out in situ and the backs of the panels were inaccessible to clean and treat any corroded reinforcement.

It was decided that to keep costs at reasonable levels, South West Concrete Repairs Ltd were to repair as best as possible given the restricted access and the condition of panels be monitored by periodic inspections and routine survey.