AWARD OF MERIT: Masonry Category

Repairs to Contractor Building 1922

Mumbai, India

Submitted by Kasturi Coating

A heavy groundwater leakage into the basement of Contractor Building 1922, even during the peak summer months of February to May, was rendering the use of the basement defunct. The sanitary installations were leaking heavily causing algal and fungal residues that were damaging the building, coupled with a potential health risk. Visible cracks on the external side of the building were contributing to leakage of rain water inside.

Repairs included strengthening defective slab and lintels; providing new concrete/polymer with additional reinforcement; internal plaster; grouting; toilet block revamping work; the entire drainage and plumbing system; basement waterproofing, plaster, and overlay work; painting; repairs to jack arch structures; structural steel work; exterior façade renovation and protection coating; and any incidental work. The period of completion was 9 months (including monsoons).

The site was completed in January 2007 and inspected for leakages in monsoons of July 2008. The restored areas were found to have no problem. A dividing wall in the basement, however, sprouted leaks due to puncturing of the waterproofing system by the interior contractor. Proven injection grouting techniques using polyurethane and acrylic resins were used to seal live leakages.

Although the occupied building was located in a commercial area of the city of Mumbai with heavy traffic, the project was completed overcoming all restrictions, keeping the building in operation during repairs. The success of the project was achievable due to a team concept as envisaged with rigid cohesion between clients, consultants, and contractor with active help and support of the material manu­facturers. The project was completed within the budgeted costs and without time overruns.

Owner
Shapoorji Pallonji & Co., Ltd.
Mumbai, India

Project Engineer/
Designer
Structwel Designers & Consultants, Ltd.
Mumbai, India

Repair Contractor
Kasturi Projects, Ltd.
Maharastra, India

Material Suppliers/
Manufacturers
Sundanda Specialty
Coatings, Ltd.
Mumbai, India

McBauchemie, Ltd.
Mumbai, India