LESLIE COMMERCE BUILDING

The Leslie Commerce Building is one of the most deteriorated structures on campus and shows extensive signs of damage. Construction of the 5 storey building was completed in 1980, making the current age of the building 32 years old. The building is made up of reinforced concrete elements with the exterior being finished in a plaster layer.

Cause of Damage

The plaster layer has failed due to a weak bond with the concrete shell. Evidence of the use of a bonding agent is present, however it appears to have been used incorrectly. The concrete shell was also not roughed before application, leading to a weak bond.

The spalling of the concrete is due to low concrete cover depths to the reinforcement, which has left it susceptible to carbonation induced corrosion.

Repair Options

Immediate maintenance procedures should be performed to remove all loose and unsafe plaster from the building, which is a serious falling hazard.

Although the plaster only affects the aesthetics of the building and does not need to be replaced immediately, it does appear to offer protection against corrosion to the underlying concrete. It should therefore be replaced sooner than later.

LESLIE COMMERCE

Damage and Deterioration

The main form of damage experienced on the building is the delamination of the plaster layer. The plaster has lost its bond to the underlying concrete shell causing it to fall off the columns, beams and suncreens of the building. The sunscreens and the western facade show a high proportion of damage.

Spalling concrete and exposed reinforcement are also visible in the areas of delaminated plaster, with the soffits and the column sides showing the greatest damage.

Missing plaster on beams and columns of the western facade.

Structural crack in both plaster and concrete shell on a ground floor sill

Spalling concrete and exposed reinforcement on the column sides.

Missing plaster on beams and columns of the western facade.

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