Projects

This project consisted of conducting a forensic investigation into the cause(s) of the observed random cracking and poor quality finished surfaces in the continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) highway intersections along sections of Loop 375 in El Paso, Texas. During this investigation, CA conducted a visual inspection of the CRCP sections exhibiting distress, performed a petrographic examination of concrete cores obtained from the pavements being investigated, reviewed reports from other investigators, evaluated the concrete production records, and reviewed construction related documents including weather conditions and construction daily reports. The observed distress consisted primarily of poor quality finished surfaces and random plastic shrinkage cracking. Findings indicated that high evaporative weather conditions, lack of protection of the concrete surface, and poor concrete curing practices contributed to the distress observed. The distressed CRCP highway sections were removed and replaced.

CA was retained to perform a forensic investigation to evaluate the distress observed in the cast-in-place concrete slab-on-grade at a 196,000 square foot distribution warehouse facility in Costa Rica. Thirty days after placement of the concrete, the owner of the facility observed signs of distress in the form of severe corrosion staining on the surface of the slab-on-grade warehouse floor which had been treated with a metallic aggregate floor hardener. The corrosion on the concrete surface had also affected the corrosion of the steel storage racks in the facility. CA’s investigation included the review and evaluation of construction related documents, assessment of the concreting practices, review of forensic engineering expert reports, a site visit and condition survey of the facility, temperature and humidity data collection, and concrete core sampling for petrographic examination. CA was able to determine the cause(s) of the distress through its investigation, which included construction defects, inadequate concreting practices during placement and curing, and provided the client with repair recommendations to ensure concrete durability of the warehouse.

CA performed a forensic engineering investigation to determine the cause(s) of the distress observed in the exterior concrete slab-on-grade driveways and sidewalks of numerous homes in a single family residential neighborhood. The observed distress consisted of surface discoloration, pop outs, and peeling of the membrane coating, which was installed on several driveways in an attempt to remediate the distress. CA’s forensic investigation included, among others, visual inspections of more than 100 installations, concrete core sampling, and testing of the bond strength between the membrane coating and the concrete substrate. In addition, CA directed petrographic examination of several concrete cores sampled from the distressed and non-distressed locations in order to investigate any alkali aggregate reaction in the concrete. CA determined that alkali-silica reaction in the concrete was one of the cause(s) of the observed distress and developed recommendations for the concrete surface repair and remediation of the in-place concrete pavement.