Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities

A large precast concrete warehouse and shipping structure was investigated in order to determine whether or not the structure needed to be strengthened for lateral loading. The inspection and analysis of the existing structure is described. A method for strengthening the structure for lateral loading was developed, and the details of construction of the strengthening scheme are illustrated. The strengthening scheme involved enlarging the central columns and pedestals of the structure by encasing these elements in reinforced concrete. A method of analyzing the behavior of a typical strengthened column, including the effects of load history, creep, and differential shrinkage is explained. Predictions of the response of the structure, accounting for the influence of the existing long‐term deformations in the exterior columns, are presented and compared with the required code capacities. The benefits of this strengthening scheme are described, and it is demonstrated that this approach is suitable for similar precast concrete structures.

Disputes are common in the construction industry. In an ever more litigious society, many of these disputes find their way to the courtroom. Alternatively, many disputes are settled through arbitration—one of several dispute‐resolution methods available. Although several surveys have been taken of attorneys who are involved in the arbitration process, none has examined the contending parties' satisfaction with the process. This paper reports on the results of a survey sent to parties who have arbitrated a dispute to conclusion during a two‐year period from 1986 to 1987. Four general areas of the survey are discussed: arbitrator qualification and performance; administrative procedures; cost of arbitration; and relative advantages and disadvantages of arbitration. Overall, our survey shows the parties to be satisfied with the process. One significant area of dissatisfaction that surfaced was that parties want to see findings of fact to understand the arbitrators' reasoning. This and other issues are discussed along with recommendations for future study.

A large number of highway bridges have been built in Saudi Arabia during the past two decades. Several of these bridges have shown signs of early deterioration including serious cracking and localized failures. A number of possible causes have been hypothesized as contributing to this problem: poor construction practices, low‐quality aggregates, absence of control of vehicular axle loadings, and severe environmental factors. This paper presents an overview of the types of damage identified to be most prevalent in short‐span bridges in Saudi Arabia. Based on detailed in situ and laboratory investigations of some 20 girder‐slab and slab‐type decks, damage to the deck system may be broadly classified into: (1) Structural damage, resulting from overloading of the bridges; and (2) material damage, resulting from lack of quality control and poor construction materials in an environment conducive to corrosion. An additional causal factor contributing to damage in the arid environment is cracking due to stresses due to thermal gradients, especially in thick slab‐type decks supported on minimally functional bearings which do not allow free movement at the ends.

The causes of out of roundness of a steel pipeline (42 in. nominal diameter and a 9/32 in. wall thickness) due to overburden earth pressure are investigated. It is noted that Marston's method of design for evaluating loads on the twin pipeline, based on the use a jetted bedding material, may be inappropriate because of the asymmetrical configuration of the pipes. The measured data on pipe ovalization are compared with the results of finite element analysis. Key factors relating to the problem are identified on the basis of the comparison of field data and analysis of results. Deflections are found to be sensitive to the value of the modulus of soil reaction of the bedding material.

Water leakage through brick‐clad walls is one of the most difficult masonry problems to correct. These leaks can cause severe damage to underlying wall elements and to interior finishes as well as disrupt building occupants. Excessive water entry into the wall usually results from poor brick workmanship. Subsequent water penetration into interior spaces may result from errors in design and/or construction of the wall‐drainage system. In most cases, leaks can easily be avoided if the designer properly details the flashing‐and‐weep system and carefully monitors construction for quality workmanship and conformance with design. The two most common types of exterior brick‐clad walls in existence today are the barrier and the cavity walls. Barrier walls block water from passing completely through the wall, thus preventing leakage into the building's interior. Cavity walls provide a continuous void within the wall that serves as a channel to guide water out of the wall before it reaches the interior. Both barrier and cavity walls require good‐quality brick workmanship and a proper flashing‐and‐weep system to function effectively.

Three case studies of bridge‐pier‐related problems are presented. The first two concern problems during the construction of new bridge piers, while the third examines the reconstruction of an existing bridge. The first case is associated with an error in a construction drawing, the second involves inadequate pier survey, and the third is related to poor judgment in the inspection of the bridge‐pier base. The enabling causes of these problems were poor planning and supervision prior to and during construction stages. As design and construction of bridges becomes more and more complex, component details can be easily overlooked without adequate planning and supervision. Despite their significance for pier performance, such problems are generally unreported, and even if they are investigated, the results are seldom publicized. These problems, which cause project cost overruns and delays, can be avoided by emphasizing stricter quality‐control measures.