1.

Project Details

Name of building

Foundation Garments

Purpose of building

Garment Factory

Age of building

17 Yrs (approximately)

Location

Melsiripura , Kurunegala

Occupants (approximate)

450

Focus of report

Stability of structure

Peripheries included

Ventilation

Client Representative

Mr. H.D.I.C.Dissanayaka (Accountant)

2. Introduction
1

The structural stability report is prepared with the motive of saving life & property by
foreseeing any critical failures in the structure, it shall be gauging the present and future
stability of the building by considering the physical condition based on the site visit made on
03.05.2016 and the available structural details produced by the client. The current condition
of the building was juxtaposed with the generally accepted structural & sanitary requirements
adequate to facilitate the purpose it has been serving to date. Wherever the building condition
does not comply with the accepted quality or requirements, necessary measures have been
provided to rectify the condition.
The Factory primarily consists of a basement, and a large ground floor which houses the
production area, the office, AQL, packing, cutting, sample area etc. In addition to this, the
facility also includes two power houses, a canteen area with a kitchen and toilet facility for
men and women.
The ground floor consists of two portal framed structures with prefabricated H and I sections.
The two portal frames have been merged at the center and the joint has been concealed using
Zn/Al partitions. The foundations at either sides of the portal frames have been either encased
through a floor concrete within the production floor / AQL / Packing area or a reinforced
concrete slab as in the Fabric / Cutting / Sampling area. The ground floor has been provided
with ventilation through a consistent supply of water on one end of the building and a system
of exhaust fans at the other end. The Zn/Al roofing structure is laid on Z shaped purlins
bolted to the portal frame at regular intervals.

3. Site Observations
3.1
Documented data
2

Description
1. Structural drawings
2. Architectural drawings

Availability
Yes
No

Remarks

The building complies with the

architectural drawings.

3. Chartered Electrical Engineers

Certificate

3.2

Checklist for site inspection

3.2.1 Production area AQL Packing area Office
Description

Condition
Yes
No

Remarks
3

1. Critical Settlements

2. Deflection in portal frame

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Failure of steel sections

Failures in bolted joints
Defects in welded joints
Corroded steel sections
Defects on roof

The roof had been damaged in

a few locations.
8. Tests required for Steel
9. Tests required for Concrete
10. Failure in masonry walls

3.2.2

Fabric area Cutting area Sampling area

Description

1. Critical Settlements
2. Deflection in portal frame
3. Failure of steel sections
4. Failures in bolted joints

Condition
Yes
No

Remarks

5. Defects in welded joints

6. Corroded steel sections

Steel

sections

had

been

corroded in locations where the

steel sections were encased with
concrete, corrossion was severe
7. Cracks on floor

at the steel concrete interface

Cracks appeared to have

developed along the edges of

beams in several places.
8. Tests required for Steel

9. Tests required for Concrete

10. Failure in masonry walls

3.2.3

Inspection Stores area (Basement)

Description

Condition
Yes
No

1. Critical Settlements

2. Deflection in portal frame

3.
4.
5.
6.

Failure of steel sections

Failures in bolted joints
Defects in welded joints
Corroded steel sections

Remarks

Steel sections had corroded

especially at steel plaster

interface.
7. Cracks on floor

8. Tests required for Steel

9. Tests required for Concrete

10. Failure in ceiling / roof

The slab and supporting steel

sections (ceiling) appeared to

have sagged in several locations

3.2.4

Canteen area
Description

1. Critical Settlements
2. Deflection in portal frame
3.
4.
5.
6.

Failure of steel sections

Failures in bolted joints
Defects in welded joints
Corroded steel sections

7. Cracks on floor
8. Tests required for Steel
9. Tests required for Concrete
10. Failure in masonry walls

Condition
Yes
No

Remarks

3.2.5

Toilet area
Description

1. Critical Settlements
2. Deflection in portal frame
3.
4.
5.
6.

Failure of steel sections

Failures in bolted joints
Defects in welded joints
Corroded steel sections

7. Cracks on floor
8. Tests required for Steel
9. Tests required for Concrete
10. Failure in masonry walls

Condition
Yes
No

Remarks

4. Conclusion
Most Steel sections were in good condition, and they appeared to have been maintained and
treated adequately.
While the production area did not appear to have major concerns pertaining to the structural
stability of the building, the other half of the main building which was above the stores /
inspection area requires remedial action, since the cracks that have appeared on the floor
cant be deemed to be simply superficial cracks, owing to the appearance of the nature of the
cracks and the condition of the soffit of the slab, when viewed from the basement.

5. Recommendations
(a) Wire brush all corroded steel sections and welded joints, treat them with one coat of
metal primer (Zink Phosphate), two coats of anti corrosive paint and single coat of an
enamel paint of an approved brand.
(b) The concrete H iron interface in locations where the portal frame meets the slab could
be separated with a construction joint / expansive material such as rubber/neoprin.
(c) The damaged locations of the roof need to be repaired and the damaged/dampned
insulation material needs to be replaced.
(d) It is advisable to not perform further loading on the slab above the stores area, since it
may aggravate the cracks and the deflections of the slab.

6. Photographs

6.1 Front elevation of the main building

6.2 Production area

10

6.3 Corroded steel joints

6.4 Roofing structure

11

6.5 Cracks formed on floor

6.6 cracks in the transverse direction to previous cracks in 6.5

12

6.7 Office area

13