Capital PCC were commissioned to identify issues regarding the condition of the external fabric of two 12 storey high rise buildings known as High and Home Towers which were being refurbished by Birmingham City Council.
The investigations were primarily to assess the condition of the structural fabric and in particular the cause of vertical cracking in the brickwork at corners of the building, to enable suitable remedial works to be specified prior to the installation of EWI and replacing private balcony balustrades with curtain walling.
As part of their commission Capital PCC prepared a schedule for the detailed survey, testing and intrusive investigations of the buildings and appointed a specialist abseil contractor to undertake the work.
The intrusive investigations identified a hybrid construction comprising a main steel frame encased in concrete, with insitu reinforced concrete (RC) floor slabs. The external walls are of masonry cavity construction with inadequate support throughout the height of the building.
Services
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01Investigation/Testing of Building
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02Appraisal of Structural Form
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03Feasibility Study
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04Specification/Schedule of Works
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05Due Diligence Checks
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06Site Inspections
Capital PCC were responsible for providing a specification for the repair of the building fabric together with developing a technical solution, in liaision with a specialist fixings company (Helifix), to introduce support to the external brick leaf of the cavity wall at each floor level suitable to support the installation of new EWI.
During the works Capital PCC were also commissioned to provide design solutions for temporary works and the installation of water tanks in plant rooms, undertake due diligence checks on the Contractor’s design of curtain walling and balcony balustrades and advise on the formation of service holes through walls and floor slabs together with and other structural issues that came about during the works.
