This renovation project in Kedron, Brisbane is transforming a beautiful Queenslander that looks like it was built facing the wrong direction!
Originally located on a massive estate, the front of the house originally faced Strathmore Street, Kedron. Over the years, the estate was subdivided and more houses were squeezed into the area. The unfortunate consequence was that the house now looks like it is facing the wrong way.
Rather than turning the house around, building designer Roger Cook from Roger Cook Design was engaged to design a new front façade for the front elevation of the building.
Construction has started with the demolition of the subfloor space and excavation to create a usable head height under the building.
New steel posts are being installed under the house to suit the new downstairs layout and a master bedroom extension is being constructed on the ground level.
This grand old lady will look like it has been turned around on the block, but in reality a nice, fresh new front will be added to the building.
With an internal renovation in the original upstairs part of the house and the ground floor extension, this enormous house will regain it majesty and dignity and proudly face the street once again!
An interesting question was posed today and I think we have an answer….
When tiling over an existing, cracked concrete slab you run the risk of cracks appearing in the tiles above the crack in the concrete.
Repair Options
We’d normally isolate the tiles from the existing cracked concrete with an unbonded (full strength) overlay or topping slab. An even better, although more expensive, option is to demolish the slab and pour a new structural slab.
Butterfly Stitches
However if there aren’t many cracks in the concrete slab and head height is limited, then you might be able to hold the cracks closed with butterfly stitches.
Image courtesy of http://bellefamillevie.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/chinny-chin-chin.html
Not these kind, but the idea is the same. Steel reinforcement cut into the slab to tie and hold the crack closed.
In the case of a cracked slab, I recommend either stainless steel deformed bar from Valbruna or an epoxy coated bar because the reinforcement won’t have much cover and we don’t want the reinforcement to rust.
Butterfly stitch across slab crack
Depending on the application, grind 10mm x 50mm deep x 300mm long trenches perpendicular to the crack at 600mm to 1000mm centres. Place a bed of epoxy mortar in the trench, insert the stainless steel deformed bar in the trench and then fill the rest of the trench with epoxy grout.
New crack stitches being installed
Once the tiles are placed over the repaired area, you’ll never know the butterfly stitches are in.
Cracks in Precast Concrete
We’ve specified a similar treatment for a precast panel that had cracked when it was lifted from the precast bed. The crack closed back up when the panel was in position so construction progressed, but the principal rejected the panel with the crack. The principal accepted butterfly stitches across the crack as a repair methdology and the work was completed on the vertical wall panel without removing it from service.
What Else Can We Fix
So there you have it. Butterfly stitches aren’t just for medical emergencies. You can also use them to help hold closed cracks in concrete and brickwork.
If you have a cracked slab, precast panel or brickwork wall, maybe butterfly stitches will help you. Call Cornell Engineers for an assessment and advice on how best to repair your cracked concrete or masonry surface.
I had coffee with local businessmen owner and certifier, Greg Dempster, this last week and he told me he has a blog. Not your ordinary blog mind you. An informative web site all of its own with helpful articles from a building certifier’s perspective. It’s called The Oil Stone – and it’s provided to ‘help sharpen your knowledge’.
Greg owns and manages Development Certification. This Queensland certification company has over 15 years experience and has completed thousands of projects. With offices in Townsville, Bowen, Mackay and Brisbane, we’re proud to recommend Greg and his team for your next project. Check out the Development Certification website.
The new F22 SmartBrace plywood bracing manual by Tilling makes it easier for structural engineers and building designers to design plywood bracing walls using Australian plywood. That’s good right?
When the alternative is importing hardwood ply from overseas, then an Australian product manufactured to Australian standards has to be better.
Plywood bracing walls make as good sense in Brisbane as they do in Mackay, Queensland.
In Mackay you need high strength bracing walls to resist cyclonic winds. Plywood is an excellent choice and we use it exclusively for bracing internal walls.
In Brisbane, we love plywood bracing walls in house raise and build in under projects and new houses. Having a high capacity plywood bracing wall means less overall wall bracing and that means we can hide your wall bracing in cupboards and other short lengths of wall. It also means you can have more windows.
