- SHARING OF EXPERIENCE

By:
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
DATO Sr ZULKEFLI MOHD ZAIN
DIMP, FRISM, MRICS, CQS
 INTRODUCTION
 DEFECT FORENSIC SCIENCE is the application of engineering
sciences for the investigation of failures or defects problems.

 It is a highly SPECIALISED FIELD of engineering practice and thus,

requires expert knowledge of engineering and legal procedures.

 From the engineering perspective, forensic structural engineering deals

with the investigation and reconstruction process of various failures in
structures and designs.

 From a legal perspective, it is a mission to find facts and learn the most
probable causes of a failure.
 INTRODUCTION (Cont’d)
 THE INVESTIGATION will be carry out by Forensic
Engineer or Specialist Engineer. They will investigate what
is the causes of the defects or failure.

 A major component of the defect work is to do the

reconstruction work or rectification work.

 To determine what may have caused the defects or failure,

Forensic Engineers or Specialist Engineers will do the related test
either Testing on Site with visual inspection or Laboratory Test.

 Forensic Engineers or Specialist Engineers brings their skills to

bear on problems involving how and why buildings or other
structures deteriorate or fail prematurely.
 INVESTIGATION OF DEFECTS
METHODS
 INVESTIGATION of DEFECTS can be carried out:
1. VISUAL METHOD
2. LABORATORY TESTING

 VISUAL METHOD – Preliminary site inspection,

Construction Drawing review, Review on relevant
document, Progress construction record etc.
 INVESTIGATION OF DEFECTS
METHODS (Cont’d)
 LABORATORY TESTING :
 1. Destructive Testing (DT)
 2. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

 Destructive Testing (DT) is a method where the tested

material is broken down in order to determine
mechanical properties, such as strength, toughness
and hardness. Compressive strength test (most
common)
 INVESTIGATION OF DEFECTS
METHODS (Cont’d)
 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is the process of
inspecting, testing, evaluating materials, or
components without destroying the serviceability of
the part of the component. In other words, when the
inspection or test is completed the part can still be
used.

https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/multimedia/videos/non-destructive-testing-
technique
 GENERAL INVESTIGATION
PROCESS
1. Defining objective of the investigation.
2. Collecting background information and documents.
3. Site visit.
4. Forming an investigation plan and project team.
5. Formulating initial failure hypotheses.
6. Reviewing comprehensive documents.
7. Field testing and sample collection.
8. Analysis of structure and laboratory testing.
9. Revising failure hypotheses.
10. Final conclusion.
11. Report.
SHARING OF EXPERIENCE
SUBANG OLIVES RESIDENCE
 SUBANG OLIVES RESIDENCE
 Subang Olives is a classic condominium situated in strategic location.
Its central position facilitates easy and efficient access to first-rate
amenities, facilities and infrastructure such as highways.

 Subang Olives Residence consist of;

1. 2 blocks of 17 storeys apartment
2. Number of unit - 314 units.
 SITE PLAN AND LOCATION

The subject property ‘Subang Olives Residences’ located in Jalan SS16/1, Subang
Jaya, Selangor. North view is facing Federal Highway and KTM Railway track while
south view are Subang Jaya business district.
 CASE STUDY
 We will discuss 3 major defects issue related to Subang
Olive Residence.
1. Severe Water Ponding at basement 2 and 3
2. Reinforced concrete slab crack at Carpark Floor
3. Crack line appear at external facade wall.
 INVESTIGATION OF CAUSES
1.0 WATER PONDING – The existing basement floor slab at
Basement 2 and 3 is not functioning well and cause severe water
ponding.

2.0 REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB CRACK – The car park floor

suffered severe cracks that cause concern as to its strength and
functionality.

3.0 CRACK LINE PROBLEM – Severe cracks of various degree

appear on the external façade wall which cause concern of its
functionality and aesthetic appearance.
 ANALYSIS & RECTIFICATION WORK
1.0 WATER PONDING ISSUE

Layout Plan shows the flow and the gradients of Invert Level constructed for Dewatering
System.
ANALYSIS & RECTIFICATION WORK
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
 WATER PONDING – Subsoil Piping Installation method
for dewatering system consist the following steps:
1. Saw cut by cutter or hacking by using breakers through the
existing Basement slab at 600mm wide
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
2. Cut the existing rc slab steel bars and to replace the precut
steel bars using A7 wire mesh upon completion of the
subsoil pipes installation work
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
3. Dig by using labour to remove the existing hardcore stones
and soil at 600-800mm deep depending on the flow
gradient from the existing rc slab.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
4. Construct new brickwall sumps with reinforced concrete
base and to install precast cover as per detailed sketch
drawings.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
5. Core by using electrical coring machine on the existing rc
sump to received 150mm dia. pvc perforated sub soil pipes.
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
(Cont’d)
6. Lay 200mm thick size 20mm dia. Aggregate stones to the
base of pvc perforated pipes
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
7. Install 150mm dia. pvc subsoil pipes on top of the 200mm
thick aggregates, the subsoil pipes are to be laid with
natural fall gradient. The subsoil pipes to be covered with
one layer of geotextile fabric to prevent soil from entering
into the subsoil pipes and subsequently block the water
passage.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
8. Lay a final layer of the 20mm dia. aggregates stones on top
of the geotextile fabric until the soffit of the rc slab level
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
9. Install additional layer of brc A7 wiremesh to replace the
precut rc slab bars.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
10. The subsoil pipes is able to alleviate or reduce ground water
pressure. It helps to channel and discharge the underground
water into the existing drainage sump.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
11. Cast and make good the prehacked rc slab with Grade 30
concrete and finish the concrete surface with steel trowel
and floor hardener.
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
 REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB CRACK– Method use in
overcoming this defect.
1. Typical RC Slab Crack lines repairing work
2. Steel Plates Installation into RC Slab
 ANALYSIS & RECTIFICATION WORK
2.0 REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB CRACK – From the visual inspection carried by
Forensic Engineer/ Specialist Engineer, crack defect were found to severed

Location of Repair to Extensive Surface Crack on Top of Concrete Slab (Level G & Level B1)
Crack pattern
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
• The following process were applied to overcome the crack issue.
1. To saw cut 20mm deep x 20mm wide (i.e. 10mm on both sides of
the rc slab cracklines) by using concrete cutter.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
2. Hack by using electrical breakers along the precut cracks to
form 20mm x 20mm U grooves to receive epoxy resin grout
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
3. Clean and remove loose materials, dust and laitance in
prehacked grooves.
4. Grout to fill cracklines by using Sikadur 52 epoxy resin
grout.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
5. Mix the 3 components of the StoPox EPG Epoxy resin grout
which comprises of epoxy resin grout, epoxy hardener and
silica sand.
6. Pour by gravity pouring method the premixed StoPox epoxy
resin grout into prehacked crack lines.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
7. Smooth the epoxy grout surface by using steel trowel before
gel time.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
8. The finish level of the epoxy resin grout surface shall be the
same level with the existing rc floor slab.
9. Allow the epoxy resin grout to set at least 6 hours and touch
up paint to affected carpark line after grouting work.
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
 The installation of steel plate into RC slab:
1. To saw cut and hack to form 10mm deep x 50mm wide channel by
using diamond concrete cutter and pneumatic electrical breakers
respectively as per locations specified in the layout drawing. The
steel plates at driveway shall be 3 metres in length and at 500mm
centre to centre. The length of the steel plates at carpark in
between the columns shall varies but to be extended 300mm after
the crack lines and to be at 500mm centre to centre.
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
2. Clean and remove loose materials, dust and laitance in
prehacked groove/channels by using electrical blower or
vacuum cleaner.
3. Cut 38mm wide x 3mm thick steel plates to size
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
4. Mix the 3 components of the StoPox EPG Epoxy resin grout which
comprises of epoxy resin grout, epoxy hardener and silica sand.
5. Pour a thin layer of 3mm thick of the premixed epoxy resin grout
into the prehacked channel, install 3mm thick x 38mm wide steel
plates and top up the epoxy resin grout until the rc slab surface,
the total thickness of steel plates and epoxy resin grout shall be
10mm thick
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS (Cont’d)
6. Smooth the epoxy grout surface by using steel trowel before gel
time.
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
(Cont’d)
7. The finish level of the epoxy resin grout shall be the same level
with the existing RC Floor Slab
8. Allow the epoxy resin grout to set at least 6 hours.
9. Touch up paint to affected carpark line after grouting work.
ANALYSIS & RECTIFICATION WORK
 CRACK LINE PROBLEM
1. Hairline cracks – cracks below 2mm width
2. Cracks within 2 -4 mm width
3. Distinct cracks – cracks within 6mm to 10mm width

 Application of rectification work method is accordance to the type of

crack.
 RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
 CRACK LINE PROBLEM – The following procedures is to make good
the crack line problem:
1. Surface preparation – with High Pressure Water Jet
All area which is affected with dirt, algae, fungus and powdery
surface are to be wash off with high water jet.

2. Application of rectification method in accordance to crack size and

width.
a. Hairline cracks – cracks below 2mm width

 1 coat of Nippon Flexiseal Elastomeric Membrane

 1 coat of Nippon Vinilex 5100 Wall Sealer

 2 coat of Nippon Weatherbond wall finish

RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
b. Cracks within 2-4mm width. Method of Rectification and Product
 1 coat of Arca Tex 953/105HP Membrane.
 1 coat of Nippon Vinilex 5100 Wall Sealer
 2 coat of Nippon Weatherbond Wall finish
RECTIFICATION WORK PROCESS
b. Distinct cracks – cracks within 6mm to 10mm width. Method of Rectification
and Product
 To supply labour and electrical cutting tools to diamond cut existing cracks
line to form ‘V’ shaped cutting line clean and remove all dust in V-shaped
cutting.
 To apply SIKA PU Sealant.
 1 coat of Nippon Vinilex 5100 Wall Sealer
 2 coat of Nippon Weatherbond wall finish.
THANK YOU