AWARD OF MERIT: Special Projects Category

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN STRUCTURAL REHABILITATION

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Submitted by Halcrow Yolles

Structural rehabilitation of a reinforced concrete floor slab in the main kitchen of a landmark historic hotel in downtown Toronto, ON, Canada, was required to address severe deterioration and restore its long-term serviceability. The affected area encompasses approximately 1300 ft2 (120 m2) that is a beehive of activity 7 days a week, housing commercial-scale equipment including several large steam-fed kettles, ovens, and mixers.

Site conditions presented difficult challenges that required an innovative rehabilitation strategy: minimal disruption to the kitchen, a 4-week construction schedule, and continual operation of an adjoining kitchen space and associated services.

The key elements of the repair strategy were the reuse of the existing slab as formwork for a new structural concrete topping and the use of an impressed current cathodic protection system to protect the new structural elements against corrosion and prevent further deterioration of the structure. The repairs also included a new moisture and chemical-resistant floor topping and all-new stainless steel pans and backsplashes. The new structural concrete topping was a low-moisture, high-early-strength mixture that allowed floor finishes to be installed within a week of its placement.

The repairs were completed behind sealed hoarding while the remainder of the kitchen continued its routine operation. The rehabilitated area came online within 4 weeks of shutdown and provided high-quality finishes and a cathodic protection system to ensure the durability of the new slab for many years to come.

Owner
Anonymous
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Project Engineer/
Designer
Halcrow Yolles
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Repair Contractor
Pantar Developments, Inc.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Material Suppliers/
Manufacturers
Corrosion Service Co.
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Teskey Concrete
Company, Ltd.
Downsview, Ontario, Canada