Project: Dispute Resolution & Restoration - Manufacturing Facility - Tower Panels
Location: Zeeland, Michigan
Services: Forensic Evaluation, Dispute Resolution, Design Development, Construction Documents, Field Quality Assurance
Summary:On a cold November day, high winds blew twelve 40-foot metal panels off the tower of Mead Johnson's Zeeland Integrated Power Plant (ZIPP), a 180-foot high manufacturing facility. The building was only six years old at the time. As the investigation began, controversies arose between Mead Johnson and the original construction manager. The owner's legal counsel became involved and StructureTec was contracted to perform a forensic evaluation. StructureTec investigated the original construction documents, the exterior metal wall panels (both attached and blown off), the subframing and connection details, and the weather on the day of the blow off. StructureTec was able to attribute the blow off to two primary conditions. The first was deficient and/or omitted fastener connections for the exterior metal panels and wall corner details. The second was the erection of a deficient subframing system. The final conclusion was that it had been both a design flaw and workmanship errors. StructureTec then worked alongside the legal counsel to attain a resolution where by Mead Johnson would incur no cost to repair both the areas of blow off as well as areas with similar flaws. StructureTec then redesigned the structural system and performed Field Quality Assurance to ensure the final quality of the project.
Full Profile: Mead Johnson Restoration Project 

Project: Wall Evaluation & Restoration - Corporate R&D Facility
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Services: Evaluation, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding, Field Quality Assurance
Summary:Pfizer was experiencing leakage concerns at Building 259, a research and development facility. StructureTec was contracted to perform an evaluation. With no cameras allowed on site, StructureTec depended taking highly detailed notes. Although the walls appeared to be in relatively sound condition, there were areas of distress in the masonry. The concrete foundational walls were exhibiting cracks and distress. Previous repairs were evident, but they had been unsuccessful at achieving watertight integrity. Through-wall flashings were not present above wall openings. StructureTec recommended replacing deficient masonry, applying new silicone sealant to all joints, and applying new sealer to the masonry surfaces. StructureTec performed Field Quality Assurance during the construction. StructureTec recommended providing new through-wall flashings, but this will be performed as a later phase to the project.
Full Profile: Pfizer, Inc. Restoration Project