Chicago’s Michigan Avenue: Parking Garage Restoration

Problem

This concrete parking garage structure, located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, is designed with reinforced columns, beams, and slabs. The property was built in the early 1970s to store 350 automobiles in a five-story structure. During the winter months, vehicles drop snow mixed with salt particles on the garage floor surface. Over the course of several winters, the melting of snow with salt particles caused pavement cracks, spalled the concrete, and corroded the steel reinforcement. We were approached to evaluate the conditions and remedy the problems.

Solution

• Reviewed previous repair reports and performed an extensive condition survey.

• Performed destructive investigation openings at specific locations to gain knowledge of the construction.

• Sounded the concrete surfaces with chains and/or with a mason hammer for surface delamination. Quantified the damaged areas and developed repair summary sheets.

• Provided specifications and construction drawings for repairing the spalled structural concrete slab and replacing the damaged surface.

• Inspected the contractor’s work in progress to ensure conformance with specifications and drawings, prepared field reports, verified work item quantities, approved change orders, facilitated project communication, maintained project records, coordinated construction meetings, prepared a punch list, and closed out the project.

Value

Investigated and performed sounding evaluations, quantified the area of repairs, developed repair specifications and drawings, performed bidding services, and managed the construction repairs.