Tower strengthening "Project of the Year"

Concrete Construction, Oct, 2004

An innovative post-tensioning project that increased the structural strength of a cement plant pre-heater tower has been selected as "Project of the Year" in the International Concrete Repair Institute's 2004 Project Awards program. The award will be presented formally at a banquet on October 21, 2004, during ICRI's Convention in San Francisco. The project was submitted by CTL, with Walker Restoration Consultants, Greenwood Village, Colo., and Holcim Group Support, Mount Royal, Canada Ltd., also credited as engineers, and Structural Preservation Systems, Baltimore, cited as the repair contractor.

This team recommended a retrofit of bonded post-tensioning within internal holes drilled in reinforced concrete beams. This solution was quite extraordinary, as it required precision-drilling horizontal holes more than 90 feet long in the beams of the elevated frame structure, without cutting existing embedded reinforcement.

Nondestructive impulse radar testing was used to locate existing embedded reinforcing steel, as well as to monitor the drilled holes' trajectory. This process helped ensure proper tendon alignment and prevent damage to embedded steel. The cored holes served as post-tensioning ducts.

Earlier this year, the project also was named a co-winner of Best in Class in the Post-Tensioning Institute's 2004 Awards Program in the strengthening/rehabilitation category.

For more information, contact Ken Hooker, Corporate Communications Editor at 847-972-3098 or visit www.CTLGroup.com.