AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Historic Category

BOK TOWER RESTORATION

Lake Wales, Florida

Submitted by Sika Corporation

Bok Tower was constructed between 1927 and 1929 and houses a 60-bell carillon (set of tuned bells). The tower is 205 ft (62 m) tall, has seven floors, and is constructed of a masonry-encased steel frame. On August 21, 1972, Bok Tower was listed as a National Historic Landmark and with the National Register of Historic Places.

Cracks developed in the coquina brick, largely in the areas of the spandrel beams. Highly distressed areas showed signs of bowing or displacement from the beam and masonry backup. In some cases the coquina brick had failed completely, creating a dangerous condition. Corrosion of horizontal structural steel members caused the coquina brick and underlying masonry to separate from the tower. The primary areas of concern for corrosion were the top plate on the horizontal beams and the intersection between the columns and beams. A secondary but still important consideration was the full perimeter of the spandrel beams including the variable corrosion condition of the web and exposed flanges.

To address the corrosion and preserve the appearance of this historic landmark, the coquina brick was stripped and rebuilt around the spandrel beams and an impressed current cathodic protection system was installed using a discrete anode system and advanced network management and control system. Field work started in early October 2006 and was completed in mid-January 2007 in time for a large concert/convention planned at the facility for February 1, 2007.

Owner
Bok Tower Gardens Foundation, Inc.
Lake Wales, Florida

Project Engineer/
Designer
Matco Associates, Inc.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Repair Contractor
Vector Corrosion Technologies
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Material Supplier
Sika Corporation
Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Project Partners:
Corrosion Specialist
C-Probe Systems, Ltd.
Cheshire, England

General Contractor
Concept Enterprises, Inc.
Odessa, Florida

Architect
Renker Eich Parks
Architects, Inc.
St. Petersburg, Florida