Halifax, Nova Scotia
Restoration of exterior walls.
Owner: Northwoodcare Inc.
(A) Project: Restoration of Exterior Masonry Walls and New Roof Structure (1992 to 1994)
Client: Jerry MacNeil Architects Limited
- January 1992 Cowie Engineering Report, "Engineering Investigation of Cracked, Bulged and Leaking Exterior Masonry Walls of Northwood Manor".
- 1992-1994 Design Drawings and Specifications, "Exterior and Interior Renovations and Brick Masonry Restoration"
Cowie Engineering Design Services and Services During Restoration Construction
1. Restoration of Exterior Masonry Walls:
- New structural steel framing system for support of new brickwork and for strengthening existing concrete block masonry back-up walls.
- Cowie custom designed hot dip galvanized brick ties anchored to new steel framing system for support of the new brickwork.
- New flashings at base of wall cavity.
- Site spray applied polyurethane insulation covering existing concrete block masonry back-up wall and new structural steel framing system for the support of the new hot dip galvanized steel shelf angles and anchorage of the new brick ties for lateral support of the brickwork.
- New clay brick masonry using Type "S" hydrated lime, Portland cement, and masonry sand mortar mix.
2. New structural steel roof framing and new roof deck for new roof over existing reinforced concrete roof.
The new roof was installed to eliminate a history of roof water leaks and to provide a crawl space between the underside of the new roof and the existing roof for passage of new HVAC services.
3. Structural steel framing for enlargement of penthouse.
4. Strengthening of holes in existing reinforced concrete floor slabs for the passage of new vertical ventilation ductwork.
(B) Project: New Curtain Wall and Window System to Replace Existing Curtain Wall and Windows (2003 to 2004)
Client: William Nycum & Associates Limited
Cowie Engineering Design Services and Services During Restoration Construction
1. Structural design drawings and specifications for tendering of the following:
- Access scaffolding.
- Structural steel framing for support of new cladding, new windows, and temporary lateral support of access scaffolding.
2. Review of shop drawings and periodic site inspections during construction.
(C) Flexural Strengthening of the Reinforced Concrete Floor Slabs of the 10th and 11th Floors Using Adhered Carbon Fiber Reinforced Fabric
Client: William Nycum & Associates Limited
Cowie's on-site investigation revealed the reinforced concrete floor slabs were excessively deflected, cracked and under strength as a consequence of the misplacement of the reinforcing steel at the time of initial construction.
In the interest of maintaining the clear ceiling height, strengthening was achieved by the installation of a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite system consisting of carbon fiber reinforced fabric adhered to the top and underside of the floor slabs. The FRP installation on the top of the floor slabs was for strengthening the negative moments while the FRP installation on the underside of the floor slabs was for strengthening the positive moments.
The attached plan drawings show the typical requirements for the installation of the fabric on the top of the floor slabs as well as the underside of the floor slabs. Also attached are photographs; 1 to 12 showing the typical installation of the carbon fiber reinforced fabric.
In isolated instances, steel framing was installed to strengthen the floor slabs rather than using adhered carbon fiber reinforced fabric.