Non-destructive Evaluation of an Existing Concrete Structure using Load Test

Forensic Engineering involves both curative or remedial and post-failure investigations. The former provides, the needed technical facts on what to do with the structure; while, the latter provides technical data to prevent the recurrence of the same for the policy and decision makers. The research work focused on non-destructive evaluation of a five-story concrete building which was partially burned. Portion of the third and fourth floors slabs and supporting structural members were subjected to intense heat. It was necessary to assess the existing conditions of the building to determine whether or not it is still fit for occupancy. For this purpose, load tests were performed on the identified third floor areas. The test results indicated that the affected areas had adequate but reduced strength for future use or maybe retrofitted to restore the original design load carrying capacity of the structural members affected and the structure as a whole. It is further recommended that other tests be conducted to ensure that management has enough technical data to decide on what to do with the building.