Structural Deficiencies in the Extension of a Winery in Alt Penedès

1. The Problem: Critical Defects after an Extension

The owner of a major winery in the Alt Penedès wine region commissioned us for a report after detecting serious anomalies in the extension works of their facilities. The defects compromised the functionality of the new pavements and, more worryingly, the structural safety of the new floor slab.

2. Technical Diagnosis: Three Areas of Serious Deficiencies

Our inspection and subsequent technical analysis, cross-referenced with the original execution project, revealed three critical problems that required immediate intervention:

1. Unusable Terrace Pavement: The mortar of the new terrace had cracks of more than 1mm and surface disintegration due to deficient execution and the total absence of expansion joints. It was a useless support for the planned ceramic finish.
2. Contaminated Ground Floor Pavement: The concrete on the lower floor was covered with grout residues, generating constant dust that prevented its use as a support for an industrial rolling pavement.
3. Critical Structural Deficiency: This was the most serious finding. The main metallic beam supporting the new floor slab was not correctly anchored to the pillars according to the project. The intermediate supports, essential for structural calculation, were precariously fastened, compromising the stability and safety of the entire upper floor.

3. Solution and Conclusion

Our expert report was conclusive. It was demonstrated through calculations that the solution executed on the metallic structure did not guarantee the stability planned in the original project. An immediate correction of the anchoring system was ordered to ensure the integrity of the building.

Likewise, the complete demolition and reconstruction of the terrace pavement and the mechanical milling of the ground floor pavement were recommended. The report provided the owner with the necessary technical guidelines to demand a proper rectification of all deficiencies.