Located just three blocks from the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, 3900 Watson Place is a high-rise co-operative community with a below-grade parking garage. Constructed in the 1960s, the garage has two parking levels, with one elevated, conventionally reinforced concrete slab, and a ground-level slab on grade.

Over the years, the garage began showing signs of wear and tear due to deferred maintenance. The concrete was significantly deteriorated, with ongoing spalling and delamination of the concrete surface, and corrosion of exposed and unprotected reinforcing steel.  Deterioration on the underside of the slab also posed a safety hazard where the loose concrete was able to fall onto pedestrians and automobiles below.  Previous repair attempts had failed, allowing deterioration to continue at an exponential rate.    

That’s where BECS stepped in! Engaged by the owner’s representative, our team provided a full range of engineering services to address these critical issues. We performed a detailed survey and assessment of the damages, prepared a focused structural repair and remediation plan, oversaw the bidding process, and managed contract administration and quality assurance throughout the repair work. A protective coating was then applied to help protect the concrete and extend the service life into the future.

Through our expert engineering and project management, BECS not only enhanced the safety of the garage but also preserved its functionality and value, protecting the building for years to come.