In 2023, a large high tech manufacturing facility under construction was determined to have several heavily loaded corbel details that were not in strict conformance with the required specifications. GES Tech Group and L. J. Mott, PE, were retained to provide an evaluation of the structural conditions and to recommend mitigation procedures. Non-linear FEA models employing special concrete material properties were developed and a pre-loaded clamp modification was specified to address potential deficiencies.
( photo credit: Rago Concrete)
One corbel was found to have a more serious condition in the critical tension steel matt. A special sister corbel design was developed in order to insure that the 390,000 pound dead load and any future live loads resting on the corbel were safely supported. Dead load on the existing corbel was relieved during installation of the sister corbel. Shoring load was found to exceed the advisable point load on the factory slab-on-grade, requiring a load diversion bridge to be designed to take the load to nearby drilled piers.
