Watertown, MA
Scope/Solutions
Shortly after construction of the dealership, workers observed delaminating epoxy coating in the service center. SGH investigated the causes of the failing flooring and designed repairs.
SGH visited the site to survey the floor system comprising a gravel bed, vapor retarder, slab-on-grade, and epoxy floor coating system. We documented the as-built construction and damage. SGH performed pull-off tests on the assembly and measured relative humidity and temperature of the concrete slab. We collected samples and performed the following testing in our laboratory:
We determined the flooring failed cohesively in the concrete’s near-surface, which was weak due to the concrete mix design combined with the curing, finishing, and surface preparation practices. SGH concluded impact from tools or parts dropped on the floor caused localized damage to the coating and concrete substrate, initiating coating delamination, and live loads, such as usual cleaning and traffic in the service area, propagated delamination.
SGH recommended repairs, including removing the epoxy coating and some of the concrete substrate, preparing and strengthening the concrete surface, and recoating the floor. We evaluated the recommended repairs by constructing and testing various mockups. We observed the flooring application and also measured coating adhesion, concrete moisture, and concrete temperature during the repair work.
Project Summary
