SUMMARY REPORT

OF
RECOMMENDATION
FOR
BEAM CRACKS
AT CONSTRUCTION SITE
OF IZKI A&E
03 August 2017

PROJECT : A& E AT IZKI HOSPITAL , AL DHAKLIYAH GOVERNORATE

DATE OF INSPECTION : 05 July 2017 ( Wednesday )
SUBJECT : Structural Investigation Report Summary of Recommendations
SITE DESCRIPTION :
Make : Reinforced Concrete Frames with Concrete Beams and Columns
with External Insulated Concrete Masonry Walls
Walls : 200 mm thk CHB Internal Wall
Usage : Hospital Expansion for Accident & Emergency

INSPECTION NOTES : The vertical cracks are most likely caused by the introduction of 25mm diameter
tie rods near the bottom of the beam. The tie rods should have been introduced at the beam mid depth to avoid
the beam’s tension zones and should be of smaller diameter say 10mm. to prevent stress concentration to occur.

HENCE THE FOLLOWING RECTIFICATIONS IN FIGURE 7B SHOULD BE DONE AT SITE TO PREVENT CRACKS FROM
GETTING WIDER THAT MAY LEAD TO LARGE BEAM DEFLECTIONS IN THE FUTURE THAT MAY , IN TURN, CAUSE
BEARING LOAD CRACKS ON THE BLOCK WALLS BELOW THEM .

The marked beams that would be repaired by an

appropriate repair chemical by an approved
methodology and specialist installer.

Figure 7B
Although the cracks are seen on almost all
of the beams , the beams marked are those whose
present cracks may be aggravated by future
vibrations of the package units.

Hence , beams marked as shown if found

with cracks should be treated by concrete crack
repair epoxy injection chemicals approved by the
MOH Engineer.
Statements of methodology including
specialist installers as well as material sheets
should be submitted to the Engineer for approval
prior to actual installation at site.
THIS RECTIFICATION SHOWN BELOW IN FIGURE 8A IS NECESSARY SINCE THE MARKED BEAMS HAD DEVELOPED
CRACKS ALREADY AND DO NOT HAVE ANY BLOCK WALL UNDERNEATH THEM AS A FUTURE SAFETY SUPPORT

The marked beams aside from

being repaired by epoxy injection
chemicals for cracks should also
retrofitted by steel channels with
bolts as sketched in Item 9

Figure 8A
The beams marked in this figure do not have sufficient block walls below them to somehow
minimize future vertical deflection and control &help warn us about any further movements . Also ,
these beams which span 5m to 7m, could deflect more after developing cracks.
Hence , the decision to retrofit these long span beams with steel channel at the beam bottom
will improve their serviceability in terms of user safety.
A steel channel section preferably a rolled PFC ( parallel flange channel ) section of proper size
will be selected to fit the bottom of the concrete beam . Grade 8.8 bolts amply spaced to be designed to
sustain horizontal sliding shear assuming a composite action between steel channel and reinforced
concrete beam. The bolts will carry shear primarily and should be fitted into the beam bottom either
chemically or mechanically ( as in using appropriate expansion bolts ).
Preliminary details for these retrofits are shown in Item 9.
 Figure 9A
The preferred retrofit detail is originally that of carbon fiber strip to be installed at the bottom of the beam.
However , this technology is not popular in Oman , and therefore , considered very rare and expensive .
Therefore , instead of carbon fiber , we will use mild steel channel with dimensions selected to fit the bottom
width of the reinforced concrete beam using Grade 8.8 bolts at ample spacing designed to transfer horizontal
sliding shear between beam and channel, both materials acting as a composite section.

Prepared By :

Eng’r Wilfredo

Structural Engineer , MOH DGPEA Al Khuwair Noted By :

Engr. Suveesh

MOH Project Engineer