Project Overview

• Investigate – Design – Build parking garage repair
• Button head post tension splice repair
• Epoxy injections utilized for slab and beam cracks

The Robinson Center Parking Garage, located in downtown Little Rock, is a post-tensioned (PT) concrete structure with a paper wrapped, button-head wire PT tendon system. The below-grade garage had signs of capacity loss with large deflection cracks present within the slabs and beams. Concrete had begun to spall and was at risk of falling on cars and pedestrians.

As part of a proactive effort, the owner selected an Investigate-Design-Build (IDB) approach, along with design-support from STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES to provide assessment, engineering and solution implementation for the parking structure.

The use of button-head PT systems are typically replaced when service life is exceeded, so STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES designed and manufactured a unique splice block enabling the repair of the button-head tendons which eliminated the need for a full replacement.

Other scope of work included new steel and support installation along perimeter columns to increase shear capacity of beams, epoxy injection use for slab and beam cracks, and waterproofing membrane installation over concrete repairs.

The repairs were completed under the highest level of quality and maintaining the safety of the community and crews.