ARCHI TECTS, ENGI NEERS &SURVEYORS

TOTAL DESIGN STUDIO

ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS
71 ATLANTIC RD. FAJARA; P.O. BOX& SURVEYORS
2001, FAJARA; T EL: 396869
16 Fillan St. Serrekunda, The Gambia
16B F ILLAN ST REET , SERREKUNDA; TEL: 391750
Telephone: 4373722
email: total@qanet.gm

Ref: TSR/MR/01 3rd. March 2008

REPORT ON STRUCTURAL SURVEY CARRIED OUT ON ST. MARIE RIVIER

SCHOOL BUILDING BLOCK AT BRIKAMA (KITTY) IN WESTERN REGION.

The building comprises two floors with six classrooms on each. The ground floor is
complete and work on the first floor is on-going. A physical inspection was carried out on
all structural elements (columns, beams, suspended slab/cantilever, stairs and
blockwork cladding). Information on elements like the column pad foundations which
have since been complete, were obtained from the Contractor. Generally, the design and
construction are sound and workmanship has been good.

Substructure : The substructure has been properly constructed to specification. There

is a 200mm thick concrete strip and 300mm thick reinforced column pad footings. The
concrete ground slab is 150mm thick. There are no ‘settlement cracks’ on the building, or
ground slab, indicating that the foundation and general substructure are fine.

Superstructure: The superstructure is robust and comprises 250X200 reinforced

concrete columns and ring beams to the underside of openings and above lintel height.
Cladding consists of sandcrete blocks. The structural elements are properly built and are
fine. There are a few hairline cracks on some wall panels and two columns on the
ground floor. These cracks are not due to structural defects but are confined to the
plasterwork over the columns and on blockwork cladding. The defects are cosmetic and
the contractor will make good all such defects as contractually bound to do.

Suspended slab, cantilever & stairs: These have been properly built and exhibit no
signs of defect. The slab is 150mm thick and is reinforced with 10mm diameter high yield
steel bars at 150mm centres, each way. There is no sagging or deflection and the
elements were constructed to proper lines and levels.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
The site is well organised and the contractor is doing a good job. The defective cracks
are mainly due to lack of finishing skills on the part of the workforce.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Contractor to be sending out samples of concrete and blockwork to materials
laboratories (at DTS, GTTI or CSE) for strength testing.

2. Import skilled labour from Senegal to complete the plasterwork although this is
not crucial unless the client is really concerned with having a near perfect finish.

SIGNED..............................................................................
Bevan Mendy (Civil/Structural Engineer)