A unique water feature for a wild life exhibit was found to be subject to extensive cracking and leakage. The large water retaining concrete basin was designed with an irregular geometry to simulate a natural setting in the wilds of Africa.
Settlement of the subgrade when the pool was initially filled was observed and large cracks appeared that led to substantial loss of water. The subgrade excavation subcontractor was initially identified by the engineer-of-record as the responsible party. Subsequent mitigation of the leakage pathways led to extensive delays in the opening of the signature exhibit to the public.
GES Tech Group, Inc., was retained in 2022 on behalf of the excavation subcontractor to investigate the root cause of the pool failure.
Analysis of the evidence and extensive non-linear computer simulations employing special reinforced concrete materials models ultimately identified the root cause of the failure. GES Tech Group represented the excavation subcontractor in subsequent legal proceedings.
The root cause of distress and failure in this structure did not involve the excavation subcontractor.
The root cause was numerous rigid connections at the pool walls whereas the original design called specifically for slip connections to allow the pool to settle into the subgrade without creating stress concentrations leading to high tensile stress in the concrete shell.