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Parkfairfax Condominium Assessments and Repairs

LOCATION
Alexandria, Virginia
STRUCTURE
  • Condominiums, multiple buildings
  • Masonry exterior walls
  • National Register of Historic Places
SERVICES
  • Structural assessment
  • Repair design for façade and foundation
  • Roof assessment

Employees of Walker have been working with Parkfairfax Condominium since 2009 to provide professional engineering services regarding the differential movement/settlement that has been occurring within the community. Throughout the years, Walker has also provided services regarding fire and wind damage to the roof framing of structures within the community. Based on our knowledge of the structures throughout the community, Parkfairfax retained Walker to perform a global assessment of the roofs to help develop a phase replacement program.

Constructed circa 1940, Parkfairfax Condominium consists of 285 residential garden style structures. The buildings range from 2 to 3 stories above grade with load bearing multi-wythe brick masonry exterior walls with wood gable roof framing. The roofs are terracotta tile. Entrance stoops composed of brick masonry walls and concrete stairs and landings provide access to the units at each structure. Exterior elements of the buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Walker performed a visual assessment of the exterior load bearing walls at the 289 structures which identified evidence of masonry distress and other exterior wall distress that may suggest differential settlement is occurring.

Walker provided prioritized repair recommendations for the façade and foundation. We developed construction documents and performed construction observation for the foundation stabilization at Building 718.

Walker performed a roof assessment of the 286 terracotta roofs and 1 asphalt shingle roof and provided prioritized recommendations for roof replacement work.

Walker’s knowledge of the structures throughout the community allows us to provide prompt responses to reported issues. Our work with the Condominium has helped prioritize repairs and extend the life of the structures.

Joseph W. Wilcher III, PE

Director of Forensics, Restoration and Building Envelope

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