Introduction

This report outlines a comprehensive work plan for evaluating the structural strength and
identifying appropriate retrofit solutions for an existing reinforced concrete building currently used
as an office with ground-floor retail. The building is proposed to be converted into a hotel, which
will subject it to new functional loads and regulatory requirements. The plan includes reviewing
available drawings and documentation, conducting visual inspections of structural and non-
structural elements, assessing current physical conditions, and performing material testing on
primary structural components. Based on the findings, the most suitable and cost-effective
strengthening, rehabilitation, or retrofit methods will be proposed to ensure the building’s
structural integrity, safety, and compliance with hotel usage requirements.

Work Plan for Renovation of Existing Building to Hotel Use

Project Overview:

Renovating the existing building to be repurposed as a hotel involves assessing and upgrading the
building's structure to accommodate additional loads as well as ensure safety/compliance and
performance according to applicable codes design criteria. The work plan shall outline, referenced
design codes, essential tasks, structural materials tests, to determine how the building can be safely
renovated to include additional floors and meet hotel standards.

1. Design codes:
• Jordan code-part 3 for evaluation of existing buildings.
• ASCE 41-17, Seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings.
• ACI 318-19, building code requirements for structural concrete.
• ACI 437 for load testing of concrete structure.

2. Preliminary Site Inspection and Assessment

Objective:

• To gather essential information’s, data and documents regarding the building’s history and
current conditions and structure supporting system.
• To identify any obvious signs of structural deterioration/corrosion, cracks, settlements and
imperfections/deficiency.
• Check surrounding/adjacent structures and services that may have an impact on building
situation.

Activities:

• Visual Inspection: Conduct a detailed visual inspection of the building’s exterior and
interior, looking for cracks, signs of settlement, water damage/leakage, or other structural
defects.
 • Preliminary Structural Review: Review the building’s architectural and structural
available data, drawings & documents.

3. Structural Testing and Analysis

Objective:

• To assess the integrity and load-bearing capacity of the existing structures (foundation,
columns, beams, slabs, and walls), a 3D analysis model of existing building shall be
implemented to detect any non-compliance structural elements and determine the most
cost effective/appropriate/easy to construct strengthening methods for the renovation.

Testing Required:

a. Test Pits for Subsurface Evaluation

• Objective: To assess the foundation condition, the soil-bearing capacity, and check for any
obstructions, cavities, or utilities that may impact the excavation and foundation work
during the renovation.
• Procedure:
o Conduct test pits at strategic locations around the building, particularly around the
foundation and areas where additional loading or excavation will occur.
o Evaluate soil conditions and any groundwater presence that may affect foundation
stability.
o Check for existing underground utilities that might interfere with future structural
upgrades.

b. Concrete Strength Testing

• Objective: To evaluate the strength and condition of the existing concrete used in slabs,
beams, columns/walls and footings. Also testing of steel rebars yield strength and rate of
deterioration.
• Procedure:
o Core Drilling: Drill concrete core samples from various structural elements
(columns, beams, slabs) to test the compressive strength of the concrete.
o Rebound Hammer Test (nondestructive tests): Use a rebound hammer on
accessible concrete surfaces to provide an indication of concrete strength.
o Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test: Use non-destructive ultrasonic tests to measure
the internal quality of concrete and identify potential voids or cracks.

c. Steel Reinforcement Scanning

• Objective: To assess the condition, location, and diameter of the steel reinforcement in
existing structural elements and ensure that it can support the additional loads of the hotel.
• Procedure:
 o Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or Cover Meter: Use GPR or cover meter to
locate steel reinforcement in columns, beams, and slabs.

3. Structural Analysis and Assessment

Objective:

• To analyze the current building’s structure based on the test results and determine if
additional floors can be added or if strengthening is required.
• Select the cost effective target building performance of the primary structural and
nonstructural component with regard to specified earthquake ground motion.

Activities:

• Review Test Data: Analyze data from concrete strength testing, steel reinforcement
scanning, and load testing to determine if the existing structure can support the additional
load.
• Structural Modeling: Create a structural model using the collected data to simulate the
behavior of the building with additional loads (e.g., extra floors, hotel equipment, etc.).
• Safety Margin Analysis: Evaluate the safety margin of existing structural elements against
the new hotel requirements, including the live load, dead load, and any additional safety
factors.
• Identify deficiency points: Identify of any code non-compliance elements in the existing
structure (e.g., under-reinforced beams, cracked columns, etc.) and determine if
strengthening is required.
• Geotechnical Consultation: Ensure that the foundation design is compatible with the soil
conditions determined by the test pits and any groundwater presence.

4. Strengthening Recommendations

Objective:

• To recommend the best cost-effective structural strengthening techniques to ensure that the
building is safe for its new purpose as a hotel.

Activities:

• Strengthening of Foundations:
o If the foundation is deemed inadequate or there is a need for additional load-bearing
capacity, options for strengthening may include underpinning, soil stabilization, or
the addition of new foundation elements.
• Column/walls and Beam Strengthening:
o FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) Wrapping: For columns and beams that require
additional strength, FRP wraps can be used to increase load capacity.
 o Steel Plates and Reinforcement: Additional steel reinforcement or external steel
plates can be added to beams and columns to increase their load-bearing capacity.
o Adding or strengthening existing shear walls.
• Slab Reinforcement:
o Steel or Composite Beams: Additional beams or composite materials may be used
to reinforce slabs.
• Additional planted columns :

• In case the existing columns and beams cannot bear the new loads. We will proceed with
planted columns.
- Design and Location:
• Design reinforced concrete or steel columns based on load requirements.
• Position columns strategically to avoid disrupting tenant spaces.
- Saw cutting Process:
• Use special sawcut machines to create precise slots in external walls for
column insertion, minimizing disruption, vibration, and noise.
- Column Installation:
• Plant columns within cut openings and anchor them to the existing
foundation or new footings.
• Reinforce surrounding walls for structural integration.

5. Cost estimate

The cost estimate for preparing this report is 32,000 JOD, which includes the following:
• Onsite inspection of all structural elements and excavation of test pits, conducted by
certified material laboratory consultants.
• Structural analysis, including structural modeling, calculations, and preparation of
technical reports.
• Preparation of a detailed cost estimate report for the recommended strengthening,
rehabilitation, or retrofit works.