STRUCTURAL APPRAISAL OF BUILDINGS AT PAKUBA LODGE IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK UGANDA

DRAFT REPORT

PREPARED FOR MRS. CONNIE TUMUSIIME

BY EMMANUEL MWESIGWA 23RD AUGUST 2011

SYNOPSIS
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Contents
SYNOPSIS .................................................................................................. 2 BRIEF ........................................................................................................ 4 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................... 4 Location .................................................................................................. 4 Economic Environment .............................................................................. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURES.............................................................. 5 INSPECTIONS ............................................................................................. 6 B- Type Blocks ......................................................................................... 6 Dining Block ............................................................................................ 8 A-Type Blocks .......................................................................................... 8 Analysis of Observations............................................................................ 9 METHOD STATEMENTS............................................................................... 10 General ................................................................................................. 10 Cracks Round-1...................................................................................... 10 Cracks Round-2...................................................................................... 10 Floors ................................................................................................... 11 Roofs .................................................................................................... 11 CONCLUSIONS.......................................................................................... 11 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. 11

BRIEF
The Client requested the Engineer to carry out a Structural Appraisal and advise on structural issues on the ongoing rehabilitation work at Pakuba lodge. The Engineer visited the site with the Client on 17th August 2011 and observed. The purpose of the appraisal was to assess structural integrity of the existing buildings at Pakuba Lodge in view of the proposed alterations and repairs, as well as proposing ways of stabilizing failures and inadequacies in structural members such as walls with cracks, foundations that have settled, floors being replaced, and roof members being re-installed. While the buildings inspected were the ones where work is currently ongoing, the scope of this report extends to the other buildings in the same surrounding, which will be rehabilitated in the next phase. The limitations within which this appraisal process has been include: no tests have been carried out only visual inspection was used; repair work already done would can only be monitored but may not be reversed; the report integrates ongoing work into the proposals.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Location
Pakuba is located in Nwoya District, Acholi sub-region, in Northern Uganda. It is situated in Murchison Falls National Park. This location lies approximately 19 kilometres (12 mi), by road, south of Pakwach and approximately 95 kilometres (59 mi), by road, northwest of Masindi. Pakuba is located approximately 275 kilometres (171 mi), by airplane, from Entebbe International Airport. The coordinates of Pakuba are: 02 20 06N, 31 28 12E (Latitude:2.3350; Longitude:31.4700). Pakuba is situated on the eastern bank of the Albert Nile, as the river leaves Lake Albert on its way out of Uganda and into Southern Sudan. During the 1960's, Pakuba was the location of Pakuba Lodge, then a member of the now defunct Uganda Hotels chain. During the 1970's Idi Amin turned the lodge into a State Lodge, for his personal use and enjoyment, as the President of Uganda. Over the years, since his ouster from power in 1979, the facilities went into disrepair. The property was among the many assets that Uganda Wildlife Authority sought to rehabilitate and put in use. A concession was awarded to the Client to rehabilitate this lodge for use by visitors and tourists.

Economic Environment
In 2009, oil exploration in the region around Pakuba, has resulted in oil strikes. The commercial viability of the oil discoveries and how commercial exploitation of those discoveries will balance with the conservation interests are yet to be worked out. Get more: Wiki: Pakuba Airport; Other Wiki:Pakuba references; Distance from Pakwach, Pakuba Airport, Paraa Lodge, Chobe Lodge It is the Lodge nearest to Murchison Falls where the Albert Nile squeezes through a narrow 7m wide gorge and plunges some 43m below to form the beautiful falls. Pakuba boasts of a tourism surroundings and tracks full of game wild animals that one does not need to look for.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURES

The Structures at Pakuba Lodge were constructed around or before the 1960s. This makes the buildings over 45 years old. However, the buildings were abandoned and went into disrepair since around 1979, hence for over thirty years have been out in use. They appear whole, and none of them is partially or wholly crumbled. However, the walls exhibit many cracks. The roof covering was asbestos and appears very old and dilapidated. 100x100mm timber rafters spaced at 1800mm forming roof structure with no tie members and no bracings. On timber wall plate, on 300x230mm ring beam. External and some internal walls were 240mm thick including plaster; some internal walls were 100mm thick. Some blocks had their roofs already repaired: the originally existing timber members were re-used and the asbestos roof covering replaced with new IT4 profile gauge 28 iron sheets. Some cracks were being repaired with mortar of approximate mix of 1:6. Every corner and centers had a column with R10 bars, although some bars were not going to full height.

INSPECTIONS
A visual inspection was carried out on the site on 17th August 2011 on a cloudy rainy day, while considering the proposed alterations and refurbishments.

B- Type Blocks
At least one building (B3) had been demolished. Some parts of the existing buildings had also been demolished as part of the remodeling process. It was possible to assess visually the nature of materials used. The typical building is single storey with a timber roof structure principal rafters spaced at 1.8m centers; timber purlins that support iron sheets span onto these rafters. The iron sheets are new IT4 profile gauge 30. A reinforced concrete ring beam exists; however, it is clear that round bars, probably of mild steel, were used as main reinforcement in all structural members. There are evident cracks in some walls

Photograph 1: Satellite image showing location and orientation of the buildings at Pakuba Lodge. Vegetation distribution is also observable here.

Photograph 2: Roof for B-Type blocks

Photograph 3: Some cracks on B1 block, external wall

This block shows evidence of unprotected foundations: vegetation and irregular apron make the building prone to effects of retained storm water. Surface mortar spalling has occurred, leaving some reinforcement bars exposed. A major horizontal crack also appears between the two from entrances, below the ring beam. This is indicative of possible differential settlement (ground subsidence) causing this separation along the line

Photograph 4: Surrounds of B2 block

of weakness.

A nearby tree has its branches and leaves hanging over the roof of this building. This situation left unattended over years can be detrimental to the roof.

The principal rafters forming this roof have no tie members, and have no bracing at the ends. This arrangement translates into lateral loads / forces at the walls, which can propagate some failures (cracks). Tie members and bracings are required. Firm support for the ridge is also required; this may be achieved by extending the columns high enough, or extending specific points of the wall, to enable the ridge to bear thereon. The reinforcements bars used in the column shown here are round bars, probably mild steel. High yield deformed bars are preferred.

Photograph 5: Roof detail showing principal rafters without tie member

Dining Block
The Dining block requires replacement of the floor slab and erecting a line of support columns. A roof will subsequently be erected over the structure. Existing piers and walls seem sound and may be used.
Photograph 6: Dining Block

A-Type Blocks
Many of the A-Type blocks exhibit cracks such as shown in this Photograph 7. The cracks seem to have been aggravated by weather conditions as well as growing plants.

Photograph 7: A-Type Block; Wall panel

The roof is composed of a rafter/purlin system with principal rafters spaced at about 1000mm. Tie members are missing in this roof structure.

One of the A Blocks (probably A10) exhibited extensive cracks in walls that show need for structural strengthening. One wall panel had a big horizontal crack. It is probable that the structural integrity has been undermined by a combination of long disrepair condition and strong impacts of demolition.

Analysis of Observations
Settlement was inevitable as a result of age. The levels of the floors of the buildings relative to the existing ground is evidence of some settlement that has happened with time; some floors appear sunken. Differential settlement could have been caused by poor drainage of storm water on the gentle slope; this could have caused some cracks in the walls, especially horizontally and diagonally. Many cracks were caused by impacts of demolition. More so, the demolitions removed some of the main structurally supporting walls and columns. This further caused cracks in adjacent walls. There is no evidence of critical earthquake history that would have affected these buildings. Although the area is fairly flat, it is highly unlikely that wind would have caused stress in these buildings given that they are short (one storey height). Vegetation: the vegetation is generally scanty short grass with scattered trees. Most of the trees are a species of palm tree, with one other different big tree between blocks B4 and B6, and near block A10. A smaller tree exists near Block B2 as well. Further investigation is required to determine the extent to which trees (roots) may have affected the buildings. There are also some vegetation traces near the foundations. These harbor storm water run-off and undermine the soils on which the buildings are founded.

METHOD STATEMENTS
General
a) The site needs to be thoroughly cleaned and cleared of debris and foreign material. b) Unstable top soil near buildings with its vegetation need to be cleared. The aprons of each building need to be compacted and well stabilized. c) Clear storm water drainage tracks need to be created.

Cracks Round-1
Wall cracks that are small (less than 10mm) should be simply filled with mortar of strength matching in strength to the existing blocks / mortar. An attempt should be made to remove plaster and observe whether the cracks extend to the block work underneath. The cracks should be adequately cleaned prior to filling. Cracks that are tight in such a way that mortar will not reach their depth should be filled with cement-sand grout through a funnel and tube as shown in Figure 1. For larger cracks, cleaning can be done by chiseling with a knife to cut out a trench slightly larger than the crack, then brush the it with a paintbrush to get out dust and dirt. The patch plaster will have more surface area to bond to when the crack is large enough.

Figure 1: Filling with grout

These filled cracks should then be monitored for at least one month.

Cracks Round-2
If cracks re-appear, or for still larger cracks, expanded metal should be applied to the surface after removing plaster; the expanded metal should be applied in both directions and on both sides of the wall, and then the crack filled. Horizontal cracks in which wall panels have gone out of plumb may be stabilized by tying with steel bars (T10) drilled and tied into the blocks, the cracks may be filled, and plaster applied. (See detail in Drawing 01)

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Floors
Ground floors for the buildings need to be carefully hacked and removed. All loose material should be removed along; firm soils should be compacted; where necessary (to Engineers approval) foundations should be strengthened with application of concrete at this stage. A new floor should be constructed according to details in Drawings.

Roofs
Tie members and bracing members need to be bolted to the existing structure. If these members are to be nailed, fabrication sketches / orientation of the members needs to be approved by the Engineer.

CONCLUSIONS
For these single storey building, there should have been no need for structural strengthening. However, strength provided by wall panels requires harnessing by suitable connectivity for structural integrity. The roof can and will be supported mainly by wall panels, especially axially. Lateral forces need to be absorbed by tie and bracing members. When these lateral loads are taken care of, the likelihood of cracks will be minimized. The causes of failure have been deduced from the findings above; but the remedies proposed need to be monitored as described. Some of the problems will only be solved through an iterative process. The recommendations below particularly point out critical areas to address.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Demolitions: All subsequent demolition should be carried out carefully under supervision by an Engineer to avoid undermining the structural integrity of the structure. Such demolitions should also be on Engineers approval. They should be carried out with tools and techniques that minimize impact on adjacent walls and structural members. 2. Roof Structure: Roof structures should be tied and braced as per Engineers Drawing 02. Roof structures already installed with no tie and bracing members should be rectified by introducing these members and joining them to the existing structure preferably by bolting.

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3. Cracks in Walls : The cracks in the walls should be repaired following the methods described above, which should ensure both stabilization and filling of the cracks. Subsequent regular checking and maintenance of the walls should be keenly done. 4. Additional Columns: These are not structurally required as long as the wall panels are optimally used for axial load support and the roof adequately braced to resist lateral loads. If this is not achievable, wooden poles may be used in accordance with the Engineers details in Drawings (founding and fixing). 5. Foundations: a. Strengthening: Foundations for all blocks should be checked with a view of strengthening them with concrete (slab-jacking). This checking and strengthening should happen when the ground slab is removed before it is replaced. b. Protection: The foundations should be protected against external aggressive conditions by repairing the splash aprons and ensuring adequate cover and plastering at the wall bases. c. Vegetation and Storm Water: External works should also ensure that vegetation closer than 600mm to the buildings be cleared, soils stabilized and compacted, and storm water clearly directed, thus minimizing water ingress into the foundations. 6. Ground Slab: The ground slabs in all blocks should be replaced; the existing floor should be removed and the debris carefully cleaned out. A hardcore base of at least 100mm should be applied on well compacted soils before applying concrete. The Slab should be in accordance with details in Drawings. Finishes shall follow Architects specifications. 7. Maintenance: The site needs to be cleared of debris and kept clean by routine maintenance; this is especially important to monitor factors affecting the repair work such as storm water drainage, vegetation and trees. 8. Septic Tank: The existing septic tank should be filled and demolished, another septic tank should be constructed at another suitable location to Engineers details.

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