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Dittmer
Chemistry Laboratory at Florida State University was built
in 1970 as a research facility, where for nearly 30 years
critical research and development has been carried out on
the cancer fighting drug “Taxol.” The 4000 square feet (370
square meters) mechanical room, consisting of a series of
one-way slabs supported by concrete beams and columns, is
effectively
a
nerve center to the entire building. It houses all the
equipment necessary to the sensitive, clean room conditions
necessary for the research program.
From its original construction until early in 1981, sodium
chloride was stored on the mechanical room floor. It was
then clear from staining on the floor and the ceiling of the
room below that serious corrosion of the rebar was ongoing
in the supporting beams and floor slab. In addition,
concentrated equipment and storage tank loading over the
beams had caused flexural cracks in the ceiling of the room
below.
A delamination survey of the floor indicated over 30%
delamination, and destructive testing of several areas
showed greater than 50% section loss of some reinforcing
steel of the slab. Extensive top slab repairs were performed
where possible, and full depth replacement took place where
inspection from below was almost impossible, leaving an
unacceptable unknown condition. Due to the unknown corrosion
factor and the expected installation of further heavy
equipment, the decision was made to install further flexural
reinforcement. Because of the extremely limited room below
the repaired slab, a preformed carbon fiber-reinforced
polymer (CFRP) strip was chosen. In addition, a CFRP wrap
system was used to strengthen a number of concrete beams
in shear.
With University royalties from “Taxol” exceeding $25
million each year, and vital development work ongoing, it
was absolutely imperative that the repair and strengthening
contract did nothing to affect the research in the facility.
This unique retrofit project was carried out on budget, on
time, under the most difficult conditions, and was handed
over to the University with pride.
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