thethe

Elements of aElements of a Masonry Forensic Masonry Forensic

InvestigationInvestigation

Jamie L. Davis, P.E. Jamie L. Davis, P.E.

Troy, NY / Skaneateles Falls, NYTroy, NY / Skaneateles Falls, NY

SummarySummary

Background/ExperienceBackground/Experience Why Consider an InvestigationWhy Consider an Investigation

Reality vs PerceptionReality vs Perception

When to Initiate an Investigation When to Initiate an Investigation Who to Choose as an InvestigatorWho to Choose as an Investigator How to approach an InvestigationHow to approach an Investigation

NDT ToolsNDT Tools

What to Expect from the InvestigationWhat to Expect from the Investigation

a little backgrounda little background

David T. Biggs, P.E.David T. Biggs, P.E. Masonry DesignMasonry Design

Prestress MasonryPrestress Masonry Hybrid MasonryHybrid Masonry

Masonry RestorationMasonry Restoration Masonry Masonry

Investigations and Investigations and TestingTesting

Looking Back at the World Trade Center DisasterLooking Back at the World Trade Center Disaster

David T. Biggs, P.E. David T. Biggs, P.E. Principal Principal

Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C.Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C.

Restoration of Egyptian Restoration of Egyptian MonumentsMonuments

David T. Biggs, P.E., Hon. M. David T. Biggs, P.E., Hon. M. ASCEASCE

Ryan-Biggs Associates PCRyan-Biggs Associates PC

Troy, NY, Skaneateles, NY, West Chester, PATroy, NY, Skaneateles, NY, West Chester, PA

Edfu TempleEdfu Temple

Diversified Masonry ExperienceDiversified Masonry Experience

Cathedral of the Immaculate Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionConception

1848 Cathedral1848 Cathedral Brownstone Brownstone

deteriorationdeterioration 190 ft North Tower 190 ft North Tower

replacementreplacement

University Building (1870)University Building (1870)

Single Wythe WallsSingle Wythe Walls(Architectural CMU)(Architectural CMU)

Prestress MasonryPrestress Masonry

Prefab Masonry PanelsPrefab Masonry Panels

Investigations/TestingInvestigations/Testing

© IMI & NCMA 2008, All Rights Reserved

thethe

thetheSuccessfulSuccessful

Masonry InvestigationMasonry Investigation

but WHY?????but WHY?????

how about why, when, who and how about why, when, who and how???how???

let’s start with ‘why’…let’s start with ‘why’…

REALITYREALITYvsvs

PerceptionPerception

REALITYREALITY

NCMA TEK 19-7 NCMA TEK 19-7 CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS

OF CONCRETE OF CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS MASONRY UNITS WITH INTEGRAL WITH INTEGRAL WATER REPELLENTWATER REPELLENT

REALITY – NCMA TEK 19-7REALITY – NCMA TEK 19-7

““Design of concrete masonry walls to Design of concrete masonry walls to mitigate or control moisture migration mitigate or control moisture migration includes includes many considerationsmany considerations beyond beyond the characteristics of the concrete the characteristics of the concrete masonry unit, such as flashing, weeps, masonry unit, such as flashing, weeps, workmanship, mortar or grout workmanship, mortar or grout characteristics, vents, coatings, vapor characteristics, vents, coatings, vapor barriers, air barriers, temperature barriers, air barriers, temperature differences, and accommodation of differences, and accommodation of differential movement, plumbing and differential movement, plumbing and roof leaks, as well as other roof leaks, as well as other considerations.”considerations.”

REALITY – NCMA TEK 19-7REALITY – NCMA TEK 19-7

““Proper design and Proper design and construction of construction of concrete masonry, concrete masonry, considering allconsidering all of of these elements, is these elements, is criticalcritical to the water to the water resistant performance resistant performance of the wall system.”of the wall system.”

REALITY – PRODUCT REALITY – PRODUCT LITERATURELITERATURE

““Finally, it is important to understand that Finally, it is important to understand that while the XYZ System greatly enhances while the XYZ System greatly enhances the water-resistant properties of the the water-resistant properties of the masonry, it should masonry, it should not be considered as not be considered as a substitute for good design practices a substitute for good design practices and quality construction procedures and quality construction procedures (workmanship).(workmanship).

REALITY – RELATED TEKSREALITY – RELATED TEKS

Refer to information in Refer to information in National Concrete National Concrete Masonry Association Masonry Association (NCMA) TEK 19-2A, (NCMA) TEK 19-2A, 19-4A and 19-5A for 19-4A and 19-5A for flashing details, as flashing details, as well as NCMA TEK well as NCMA TEK 10-1A and 10-2B for 10-1A and 10-2B for crack control and crack control and control joint control joint recommendations. recommendations.

PerceptionPerception

MY BUILDING Is MY BUILDING Is WATERPROOF!!WATERPROOF!!

!!

REALITYREALITY

PerceptionPerception

In the World Of PerceptionIn the World Of Perception

IF you have IWR cmuIF you have IWR cmu THEN you have a THEN you have a

waterproof buildingwaterproof building

THEREFORE………THEREFORE………

IF your building leaksIF your building leaks THEN it must be the blockTHEN it must be the block

Expectations are higher…Expectations are higher…

Architects detail the Architects detail the samesame

Engineers design the Engineers design the samesame

Contractors build the Contractors build the samesame

Efflorescence ??Efflorescence ??

Water Staining ??Water Staining ??

Leaking ??Leaking ??

When….When….

Get in the loopGet in the loop

ArchitectArchitect

EngineerEngineer

OwnerOwner

ContractorContractor

ArchitectArchitect

CHOICECHOICE

PROACTIVEPROACTIVE REACTIVEREACTIVE

This might get ugly……….This might get ugly……….

Time for the unbiased opinionTime for the unbiased opinion

To look at the big pictureTo look at the big picture

To give assessment of each party’s To give assessment of each party’s responsibilitiesresponsibilities

To stop the ‘blame game’To stop the ‘blame game’

To redirect focus towards the solutionTo redirect focus towards the solution

Ideal ScenarioIdeal Scenario

All parties agree on investigatorAll parties agree on investigator

All parties agree to share costAll parties agree to share cost

If not possible, be prepared to be your own If not possible, be prepared to be your own advocateadvocate

AN INVESTMENT OF GOOD WILLAN INVESTMENT OF GOOD WILL

Team playerTeam player Confident in performance of productConfident in performance of product Solution orientedSolution oriented Nothing to hideNothing to hide

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEMBE PART OF THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEM

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Split costsSplit costs Pay upfront Pay upfront

/Reimbursement /Reimbursement based on resultsbased on results

Precedent AIA Precedent AIA contract wordingcontract wording

WHO?WHO?

Experience:Experience:

DetailingDetailing

EngineeringEngineering

ConstructionConstruction

Materials/ProductsMaterials/Products

Who NotWho Not

Testing LabsTesting Labs Limited Background Limited Background Ability to Decipher Ability to Decipher

ResultsResults Engineering Engineering

JudgementJudgement The SpecialistThe Specialist

WHO?WHO?

NO BLINDERSNO BLINDERS

No Preconceived No Preconceived ConclusionsConclusions

Solution Oriented vs Solution Oriented vs Blame GameBlame Game

Fact DrivenFact Driven

HOW?HOW?

Each is uniqueEach is unique

No cookbook No cookbook approachapproach

NDT ExperienceNDT Experience

Why?Why?

MindsetMindset

Thought ProcessThought Process

Access to multiple Access to multiple toolstools

Flat-jackFlat-jack

BorescopeBorescope

Ultrasonics - Impact echoUltrasonics - Impact echo

ASTM ASTM C1383C1383 Flaw Flaw

detectiondetection

Transducer and ImpactorTransducer and Impactor

Ultrasonics - Pulse velocityUltrasonics - Pulse velocity

ASTM C597ASTM C597 Flaw Flaw

detectiondetection Sonic Sonic

TomographyTomography

Transmitter - Receiver

Sonic TomographySonic Tomography

Pulse VelocityPulse Velocity

Surface Penetrating RadarSurface Penetrating Radar

Surface Penetrating RadarSurface Penetrating Radar

17.6 inch

3D Scan3D Scan

RadarRadar

Acoustic Emission TechnologyAcoustic Emission Technology

Infrared Infrared ThermographyThermography

Grout verificationGrout verification

Infrared ThermographyInfrared Thermography

The InvestigationThe Investigation

Approach Approach

and and

ExpectationExpectation

Meet the TeamMeet the Team

Face to face with the Face to face with the playersplayers

Hear their sideHear their side Read the mood/toneRead the mood/tone Level of cooperationLevel of cooperation Listen for the detailsListen for the details Pick up the Pick up the

inconsistenciesinconsistencies

the Contract Documentsthe Contract Documents

Learn the buildingLearn the building Know the detailsKnow the details Look for potential Look for potential

problem areasproblem areas

Paper TrailPaper Trail

Spec RequirementsSpec Requirements Submittals…requested and Submittals…requested and receivedreceived

Masonry Certs. – C90/C140Masonry Certs. – C90/C140 Strength/Absorption/Density/Current f’m 2000Strength/Absorption/Density/Current f’m 2000

Mortar mixesMortar mixes Preconstruction TestingPreconstruction Testing E514: 5 ½” of rain/hr with 62.5 mph wind.E514: 5 ½” of rain/hr with 62.5 mph wind. Manufacturer Certs/Product Data Manufacturer Certs/Product Data Producer/Installer WarrantiesProducer/Installer Warranties

Mock-upsMock-ups Field Reports/Construction PhotosField Reports/Construction Photos

Visual ObservationsVisual Observations

Exterior cluesExterior clues

Know the details to read the cluesKnow the details to read the clues

Interior cluesInterior clues

Look beyond the blockLook beyond the block

Up close and personalUp close and personal

The finer detailsThe finer details

Mortar JointsMortar Joints Head jointsHead joints ConstructionConstruction ProfileProfile

Head Joints: NCMA Tek 19-2AHead Joints: NCMA Tek 19-2A

TestingTesting

Testing PossibilitiesTesting Possibilities

Mortar/Block Mortar/Block analysisanalysis Solvent ExtractionSolvent Extraction Infrared Infrared

SpectrophotomerySpectrophotomery Gas Gas

ChromatographyChromatography

Testing PossibilitiesTesting Possibilities

““Including ASTM E514 Tests in Field Including ASTM E514 Tests in Field Evaluations of Brick Masonry”, Evaluations of Brick Masonry”, Hoigard, Kudder, LiesHoigard, Kudder, Lies

Replicate Preconstruction Replicate Preconstruction Testing if missingTesting if missing ASTM C140: ASTM C140:

absorption and densityabsorption and density ASTM E514:water ASTM E514:water

penetrationpenetration

Trial Field TestsTrial Field Tests Start simpleStart simple Water droplet/spray Water droplet/spray

bar/wateruptakebar/wateruptake

The ReportThe Report

Report ExpectationsReport Expectations

Statement of FactsStatement of Facts Limitations of InvestigationLimitations of Investigation Evaluation of TestingEvaluation of Testing ““Tell them what you know, Tell them what Tell them what you know, Tell them what

you don’t know”you don’t know” Statement of ResponsibilitiesStatement of Responsibilities

SummarySummary

Be Proactive Be Proactive Meet Spec Submittal Meet Spec Submittal

RequirementsRequirements Compile Compile

Records/Paper TrailRecords/Paper Trail PhotosPhotos Attempt to solve as Attempt to solve as

part of the teampart of the team

Be prepared to be your Be prepared to be your own advocateown advocate

Research options for Research options for investigators; look for investigators; look for experience/backgroundexperience/background

Demand Demand factual/unbiased reportfactual/unbiased report

Focus on Success!Focus on Success!