Award of Excellence: Strengthening Category
Structural Reinforcement of Jamie Roldós Aguilera Bus Terminal
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Submitted by BASF Construction Chemicals
Owner
Fundacion Terminal Terrestre De Guayaquil
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Project Engineer/
Designer
Universidad Catolica
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Repair Contractor
Inmomariuxi
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Material Supplier/
Manufacturer
BASF Construction Chemicals
Guayaquil, Ecuador
The Foundation “Terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil” has been in the process of rebuilding the “Jaime Roldós Aguilera” Bus Terminal. This is a large three-story building, which from the beginning had accelerated deterioration, resulting in the closing of a large portion of its bus docks on the second level. Pieces of concrete fell from an elevated ramp when busses entered and exited the terminal. Public safety was involved.
To determine the cause of this deterioration, this structure was analyzed by the Research Institute of the School of Engineering of Universidad Católica de Guayaquil (IIFIUC), and it was determined that structural defects were present in the original design, There were construction errors as well. An unusual approach involving vibration analysis was used to determine the stiffness characteristics of the building and the locations of the structural weaknesses. Finally, an action plan was recommended to correct those defects, retrofit the structure, and to integrate them into the new architectural requirements of the building.
The repair techniques employed special high-bond repair materials and carbon fiber technology to repair and rehabilitate this relatively new building. Up-to-date nondestructive structural response methods of analysis and cutting edge materials and methods for repairs were used to restore this building back to safety standards expected of such a large public building.
