the goan I network
MARGAO
There’s good news in store for components of South Goa Comunidades. A structural test report has given a new lease of life for the over five-decade old Administrator of Comunidade building in the heart of the commercial capital with the report categorical in saying that the structural elements are strong enough to take load.
The report says the imposing building, which has been the seat of the Administrator of Comunidade since it was built around 1963, is strong enough to receive repairs and retrofitting methodologies.
The report compiled by the Goa College of Engineering, however, made a host of suggestions and recommendation for the office of the Administrator of South Goa Comunidades to save the 55-year-old building from crumbling.
The office of the Comunidade Administrator is presently functioning from the old South Goa Collectorate with water seepage during rains is the order of the day.
The stability test says all columns are structurally strong and so are the beams. The report, however, states that the truss, roofing material and false ceiling are weak and need replacement.
Saying the walls are strong and safe to take load, the report did not suggest any changes and modifications in terms of plastering up to plinth level, with the plinth cladding free from any damage.
While the staircase is good externally and internally, the report has called for removal of all slabs (circulation area on the ground and first floor
areas).
Amongst the recommendations, the report has called for removal of the present existing roofing system to be replaced by a double skin insulated system, covering the entire building.
Saying that the false roofing is totally damaged, the report has underlined the need to remove the false roofing and if required suitably replaced.
Recommendations have also been made to totally remove the slab concrete and replace it with a light flooring supported by steel sections, if required.
Reason: None of the slabs have shown any response to either UPV or rebound hammer test. The roof is exposed to continuous rainfall, leaving the mild steel reinforcement totally corroded.
Concrete has become fractured and spalling of concrete common in each and every slab tested. All the slabs are loose and deflected. These members in the ground and first floor are in dilapidated condition. At certain places no signs of reinforcement. The situation has worsened due to the ingress of rain water into the fractured concrete.
The report has recommended removal of existing plastering or that the entire exterior of the building be re-plastered along with water proofing.
While calling for replacement of the internal plastering, the report has recommended wrapping of columns up to the first floor columns only.
The report states that the plaster is very old and has not received any timely repair and maintenance. Ingress of rain water due to leakage and seepage has turned the plaster and the entire interior of the building green due to fungal growth.
Further recommendations have been made to provide cosmetic finishes wherever necessary.
Cosmetic finishes, if required, may be taken for the staircase. No structural repairs required.
The report has called for proper drainage of rain water around the building and weatherproof paint for the exterior.
