Project Type: Evaluation
The Vital Structure:
General Building Structural Condition Assesment
Issue
Vital Structures was hired to perform a visual structural assessment of the exterior wall components of the building, which was reportedly constructed in 1945 and consists of a four (4) story masonry structure. We understand that the building was originally adjoined to the North and West by the Seeley-Cohannet buildings, which were three (3) and four (4) story mixed use facilities that were destroyed by a fire in July 2004. As such, the North and West Elevation walls of 11 Weir Street, which were originally interior walls, have served as exposed, exterior walls for approximately twenty (20) years. The City of Taunton Building Department required that an overall structural condition assessment of the building be performed to verify its structural integrity and safety of the exterior walls.
Diagnosis
Our assessment of the exterior masonry walls revealed that the brick masonry mortar joints were deteriorated, with numerous voids and loss of continuity throughout the North and West Elevations. Areas of loose and displaced brick, cracked brick, spalled brick, and step cracking extending through multiple masonry courses were observed. Step cracking through the stitch bricks at the corners of the North and West Elevation was observed throughout nearly the full height of the building, resulting and in discontinuity between the exterior building walls.
Solution
Our general repair recommendations for the building consisted of the following:
- Demolish remnants of the foundation wall of the previously demolished buildings. Excavate adjacent to the existing foundation below minimum frost depth, or to limitation to avoid undermining adjacent foundations, and place new reinforced concrete foundation wall to support new brick masonry veneer/ outer wall.
- Remove existing mortar droppings from the façade. Reconstruct locations of spalled, loose, and deteriorated masonry. Repoint all mortar joints. Rebuild building corners to “tooth” the adjoining walls together.
- Install new brick masonry veneer over full North and West Elevations. Secure to repaired masonry backup wall with masonry veneer anchor ties.