AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Parking Structures Category

Scarborough Town Centre Garage

Toronto, Ontario

Submitted by Halsall Associates Limited

After consideration of several expensive and disruptive options to repair, supplement, or replace wet and corroded post-tensioning tendons, an acoustic monitoring system was installed in part of this three-level parking garage. In this system, the sound made when a wire breaks is recorded from sensors placed on the structure in a grid pattern. When a break occurs, its location can be identified based on the time of arrival of the sound at the sensors, and repair or replacement performed as deemed necessary and at an appropriate time. Based on the success of the structural maintenance program to date, the owner is considering expanding the installation to the remainder of the suspended slabs.