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A CASE STUDY FOR RETROFITTING SCHEME OF A FIRE DAMAGED RCC

STRUCTURE

Article  in  International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology · November 2017

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A CASE STUDY FOR RETROFITTING

SCHEME OF A FIRE DAMAGED RCC
STRUCTURE
DIPESH MAJUMDAR,
Department of Construction Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
dipeshce@gmail.com
Abstract : One godwon structure of Kolkata was severely damaged due to fire. This structure had two
parts one part was constructed with steel members and another was a RCC structure. Steel structure was
completely damaged fire wherear RCC structure was partially damaged. Cover concrete of beams and
columns is badly damaged in many places. Overall thorough visual survey with conducting NDT was
done to assess the damages of the structure. Proper rehabilitation technique was applied to restore the
structure.
Keywords : Repair, Concrete Column-Beam Jacketing
(1) Introduction
The godown structure of Ravi Bhansali & Mahesh Kr. Khemka consists of two parts. One part was constructed
steel truss and steel column. Steel truss portion was three storied. Other portion is RCC framed structure, which
is three storied. RCC framed structure is constructed with RCC columns placed in two rows. Columns are
connected by RCC beams at every floor level. External wall is constructed with brick masonry wall. Severe fire
broke out on the month of February, 2016. Steel truss portion of three storied godown is completely damaged,
that portion is to be reconstructed completely. Three storied RCC portion is thoroughly inspected and tested to
assess the existing condition of the building observations are described below.
(2) Nature of Distress of the structure
Damage on the superstructure due to fire is not so severe in ground floor. Some portion of plaster is partially
damaged. Some cracks are noticed on the plaster at soffit level of ground floor roof slab.
Major damage is noticed at 1st floor level. Plasters are delaminated from soffit level of 1st floor roof slab (Plate
No. 2). Alligator type cracks are noticed at soffit level of slab. Major parts of wall plaster have delaminated
from existing wall due to fire. Some moderate level cracks are noticed at exposed concrete surface also. Colours
of concrete is changed due to high temperature exposure. Doors and windows are completely damaged due to
fire. No permanent geometric deformation is noticed on the RCC structural members. Exposed surface of
concrete has shown “Dusty” feeling during touching with fingers. 2nd floor is equally damaged as 1st floor.
Condition of roof is poor. Moderate cracks are noticed on the soffit level of roof. Seepage is also noticed wall
plaster is cracked and delaminated from existing surface.

Plate No. 1 : View of RCC structure.

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Plate No. 2 : Internal view showing delamination of plaster.

Plate No. 3 : Condition of brick masonry wall.

(3) Problems to be solved with this structure

Based on the investigations carried out, the following can be concluded.
• Detailed photographs of the structure, depicting the present condition of the structure, are documented
for future reference.
• From thorough visual inspection and Non-destructive testing, it is clear that the structure is damaged by
fire exposure.
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity results are noticeably low, may be due to generation of micro-cracks inside
concrete members due high temperature exposure of concrete members. No permanent geometric
deformation is noticed at any structural members.
• Plasters are delaminated at various places at 1st and 2nd floor.
• Core test results of slab concrete are showing strength above M-20 grade concrete.
• Cracks are noticed on concrete surface in some places.
• Steel structure is to be reconstructed with proper drawing and design.
(4) Repair and rehabilitation strategy of the structure
Although the structure is damaged due to fire exposure, it is to be retrofitted. Detailed engineering methodology
for column and beam jacketing, slab strengthening etc. to retrofit the structure is described below.
4.1 Jacketing methodology for RCC columns and beams
First of all, minimum 10 nos. MS pipe (50NB) prop with all proper attachment are to be used to support
adjacent area of particular column to be repaired. During propping full contact between existing beam bottom
and prop top is to be ensured.
Before starting any repair works, the existing structure is to be cleaned thoroughly. All dumped materials are to
be cleaned. After complete cleaning of debris/ ashes from existing structure. After propping and cleaning of all

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loose delaminated concrete particles and plasters are to be eliminated from column surface in very sensible way.
Minimum impact due to elimination of delaminated concrete from existing column member is to be ensured.
Following process for elimination may be adopted
4.2 Repair Methodology for removing and cleaning of dust / loose particle / spalled concrete from
existing column surface.
• Staging with necessary platform to facilitate work adjacent to distressed portion shall be done.
• The Damaged /loose concrete should be removed carefully by chisel and hammer or by breaker (Direct
hammering should be avoided).
• Cleaning the surfaces by use of high pressure water blower & removal of loose adhering materials.
• The existing surface should be cleaned by gentle hammering, if flakes are observed and by wire brushing
only.
4.3 Some cracks are noticed on beams and columns, those are to be sealed with epoxy grout. Repair
Methodology for Stitching of Cracks and Sealing of Cracks.
• Groove cutting all along the line of cracks, cleaning the same by use of high pressure water blower and
removal of loose adhering materials.
• Drilling the holes by use of drill machine, fixing the 12.5 mm dia G.I nozzles/ PVC nozzle with epoxy
patching mortar along the crack area.
• Sealing the groove with 2 comp. epoxy patching mortar.
• Providing and grouting “Epoxy based, flowable, High early Strength, two stage expanding Grout”
through prefixed PVC nozzle/GI nozzle with proper consistency. The minimum pressure for grouting
shall be 2.0kg/cm².
• After grouting work, removal off the nozzles, sealing the same with 2 comp. epoxy patching mortar.
4.4 Repair Methodology for application of Polymer Modified Mortar on some portion of beam column
and slab, where distress is minor.
• Removal of loose concrete and cleaning of surfaces as per procedure outlined in earlier clause
• Providing & applying one coat of polymer bonding coat in proportion 1:0.5 (i.e. polymer : Cement by
wt.) over cleaned concrete surface etc. complete.
• Providing & applying single component, fibre reinforced high performance polymer modified mortar on
cleaned concrete surface of wall, bottom slab and other surfaces. The mortar shall develop compressive
strength up to 20 MPa in 3 days.
4.5 Repair Methodology for cleaning and removing corrosion from corroded rebar.
• The existing exposed reinforcements should be cleaned by gentle hammering, if flakes are observed and
by wire brushing only.
• Exposed reinforcements are to be cleaned and rust to be removed by use of “Corrosion Removing Gel ”.
4.6 All columns and beams are to be jacketed with free flowing micro-concrete system.
• Dismantling of existing floor and excavation around existing columns is to be done with proper care as
per following Fig. No. 1.

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Outer part of

External Brick External Brick

Existing Column

Excavation Line
Inner part of

Floor finish near to existing column is to be dismantled to access existing

foundation.

Fig. No. 1 : Excavation Plan is shown at initial stage.

• During Jacketing of existing RCC columns extra reinforcement is to be provided externally. Anchoring
of vertical reinforcement (16 mm dia) is to be done on existing top of RCC foundations.

16mm dia extra

reinforcement

P.L. Level
Temporary
wooden
support to
Excavated Side

Earth Side

Anchoring of extra rebars is to

be done on existing foundation
top with HILTI Anchoring

Fig. No. 2 : After completion of excavation near existing column. 08 (eight) nos. 16mm dia rebar is to be are honed in existing top of
foundation.

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• Stirrups of jacketed columns are to be fixed as per following Fig. No. 3. There will be two nos. of stirrup
per set as shown in Fig. No. 3.
Dismantled part of
existing brick work

Existing Brick Work

Longitudinal reinforcement Anchored rebars on

Total 7 nos. 16 mm dia existing foundation
top with epoxy
anchoring agent

Stirrup details

Fig. No. 3 : Plan drawing showing anchoring arrangement of 16mm dia rebars and fixing details of stirrup reinforcement.

• Existing RCC slab of 1st floor and 2nd floor is to be punctured to accommodate vertical extension of
vertical reinforcement into next floor level as per following Fig. no. 4.

Slab is to be puncher in five places to extend longitudinal rebars.

Fig. No. 4 : Top of first floor slab showing arrangement for extension arrangement of longitudinal reinforcement through minor dismantling
of first floor slab only.

4.7 Repair Methodology for Jacketing with Free-flowing Low-shrinkage Micro-concrete.

• Providing and fixing in position ply postbox type formwork as per the site requirement.
• Application of Acrylic Polymer based bonding agents to ensure proper bond between old and new
concrete.
• “A Dual Shrinkage-compensating, high flow, high strength ready to use micro concrete” should be
poured in the formwork to patch the damaged concrete surface
• The same should be finished in line and level with the existing finish of the RCC member.
• It should be cured for 3 days with water.

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• Existing beams are moderately damaged due to fire exposure. Existing RCC beams are to be
strengthened by jacketing methods. During jacketing of RCC columns three nos. of dowel reinforcement
are to be left for beam jacketing as per Fig. no. 5

16mm dia extra

reinforcement as
longitudinal bars.

‘L’ shaped beam

reinforcement to be anchored
with column and beam
bottom reinforcement.

Longitudinal
reinforcement

‘L’ shaped connecting

reinforcement between
column and beam
reinforcement.

Detail ‘A’

Fig. No. 5 : Sketch showing reinforcement arrangement of vertical column reinforcement. Connection between beam and column
reinforcement is also shown.

Beams are to be jacketed with micro-concrete. At first shear reinforcements are to be anchored in existing roof
slab with HILTI chemical anchor system as per Fig. No. 6. Then main longitudinal reinforcements are to be
fixed as per Fig. No. 7. Finally micro concreting is to be done with Pre Packed Micro- Concrete system.

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80mm anchor is to be
done

Existing Beam

12mm dia “U” bar is to be fixed 175mm

c/c with HILTI chemical anchoring agent

Sectional view showing fixing plan of extra shear reinforcement with existing slab.

Fig. No. 6 : Sketch showing fixing arrangement of new stirrup to strengthen existing RCC beams.

Concreting is to be done through

this zone

Micro-concrete

Shuttering plate

16mm dia is to be placed as longitudinal

reinforcement.
Sectional view showing jacketing plan for beam
Fig. No. 7 : Sketch showing fixing arrangement of new longitudinal reinforcement and shuttering arrangement for concreting.

• Existing slab is to be strengthened with overlaying concrete jacketing on top of the slab as per Fig. No. 8.
Shear connector with 10mm dia rebars is to be provided on top of the RCC slab @ 4 nos. per sqm. Area.
Thickness of overlaying concrete will be 65mm. Reinforcement bar details is to be followed as per Fig.
no. 8.

65mm concrete with 10mm

Shear connector with
down coarse aggregate
10mm dia rebars and
HILTI anchor fasteners

8mm dia @ 200 C/C

Fig. No. 8 : Sketch showing strengthening arrangement of new stirrup to strengthen existing RCC beams.

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Reference
[1] Jirsa, J.O., “Behavior Of Epoxy-Grouted Dowels And Bolts Used For Repair Or Strengthening Of R.C. Structures, “Proceedings,
9wcee.
[2] Aci Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements For Reinforced Concrete,” Aci 318-83, American Concrete Institute, 1983.
[3] Luke, Philip C.C., Chon, Carlos, Jirsa, J.O., “Use Of Epoxies For Grouting Reinforcing Bar Dowels In Concrete, “Pmfsel Report 85-2,
Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, University Of Texas At Austin, September 1985.
[4] H. J. Degenkolb Associates, “Connections To Existing Concrete For Seismic Rehabilitation,” To Be Published In 1988.
[5] Bass, Robert A, Corrasquillo, Ramon L, Jirsa, J.O., “Interface Shear Capacity Of Concrete Surfaces Used In Strengthening Structures,
“Pmfsel Report 85-4, December 1985.
[6] Winer, David F, “Behavior Of Steel To Concrete Connections Used To Strengthen Existing Structures, M.S. Thesis, University Of
Texas At Austin, August 1985.
[7] S.M. Alcocer, Head Of The Seismic Testing Area, National Center For Disaster Prevention; Associate Professor, Institute Of
Engineering, Unam, Mexico ‘Design Of Earthquake-Resistant R/C Beam-Column Joints Rehabilitated Using Jacketing’

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