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Strata2023

High-Rise Facade Defect Investigation

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Overview

Investigation of widespread tile delamination and concrete spalling on a 32-storey residential tower. Infrared thermography from ground level identified 2,400 square metres of delaminated tiles across all four elevations. GPR scanning of balcony slabs revealed reinforcement cover deficiencies averaging 15mm against the 40mm design requirement. The body corporate used our report to pursue a defect claim against the original builder.

Challenges

  • 01Occupied residential tower with 180 apartments affected
  • 02Falling tile hazard required immediate exclusion zones at ground level
  • 03Multiple facade systems (tiles, render, curtain wall) across the building
  • 04Builder disputed defect claims requiring court-ready documentation

Outcomes

  • 01Identified construction deficiency in reinforcement cover as root cause
  • 02Thermography detected 85 percent of delamination areas without scaffold
  • 03Expert report supported body corporate claim in QCAT proceedings
  • 04Remediation programme designed with phased scaffold access over 18 months