Estudio de Patología en la Edificación Paradise Building Ubicado en la Ciudad de Medellín, Antioquia

Abstract

This structural pathology study was conducted on the PARADISE BUILDING, located in Medellín, Antioquia. An expansion of the building was planned through a structural reinforcement process in order to increase the number of floors. However, during the execution of work, deficiencies in the structural construction processes were identified. Therefore, the aim is to carry out a diagnostic assessment of the building, which allows issue a technical assessment of intervention aimed at correcting the identified damages and preventing the occurrence of short-term structural pathologies. First, a visual inspection of the building was carried out, where the following pathologies were identified: vertical discontinuity in 100% of the building’s columns (a total of 20 columns); insufficient coated and exposed reinforcement steel in the concrete slabs of levels 3, 4, 5, 6, and the roof slab (100% of the new slabs constructed); changes in cross-sections and honeycombing (voids) in approximately 10% of the beams and joists slabs on levels 3 and 4. Subsequently, the following non-destructive testing were performed: sclerometer test (Rebound hardness test), to verify the compressive strength of the concrete, it was found 4 elements with a resistance lower than 21 MPa; Ultrasonic pulse velocity test, to detect possible cracks and honeycombing, it was found 2 elements present a velocity lower than 3.5 km/s; and reinforcing bars location using pachometer, to verify coating reinforcement steel, it was found 65% of the tested points were below 4 cm. Finally, an intervention proposal was presented for the project accomplishment, aimed at ensuring the minimum coating reinforcement steel, achieving the required concrete strength, ensuring the continuity and regularity of the structural elements.