North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago: Investigations and Wall Repairs
PROBLEM
The 1300 North Lake Shore Drive Building is a forty-story luxury residential structure in Chicago. The building was built in 1963 and designed by the architect Richard A. Raggi. The building has a reinforced, cast-in-place concrete structural frame consisting of flat slabs with support columns positioned in a uniform grid. The east and west facades are designed with a grid system of columns and slabs. Above the slabs are the blue glazed brick masonry spandrel panels and aluminum window assemblies. In plan, the tower is approximately 150 feet 6 inches by 50 feet 6 inches in the north-south and east-west directions. We were hired to investigate reports of water infiltration at the blue brick spandrels and address the concrete spalls.
SOLUTION
Review previous repair reports and perform an extensive condition survey on all elevations.
Inspect the exterior brick veneer wall and the interior back up wall for evidence of deterioration.
Perform an ASTM E 2128 water leakage investigation at the exterior wall of the condominium unit. No pressurized chamber was to be used in this case.
Develop specifications and design repair details to remove mold and remedy the water infiltration condition.
Perform follow up water testing to confirm the repairs by the contractor using the specifications and drawings to ensure no water infiltration would develop.
VALUE
The building for many years experienced water leaks at the brick panel. After performing the water tests and creating openings in the brick panels, it was discovered the flashing system was missing (see middle photo). Furthermore, we performed scaffold inspections, sounded the concrete walls, quantified the spalls for repairs, identified failures in the facade, developed construction repair documents, and performed construction oversight services. Afterwards, services were followed up with random water tests and confirmed details were implemented per specifications and drawings. Repair work performed by the contractor was recorded for future reference.
