Post-Fire Concrete Foundation Assessment and Reuse - Uxbridge
Following a major fire, an earlier engineering assessment recommended complete demolition of a detached residential garage, including its concrete foundation.
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Parsways' independent investigation confirmed that the foundation could be retained with targeted repairs, helping the owner avoid costly foundation replacement.
Location: Uxbridge, Ontario
Completion: September 2026
Sector: Residential
1. The Challenge
Following the fire, an earlier engineering assessment recommended demolition of the damaged structures, including their concrete foundations.
Complete Foundation Replacement:
The original demolition scope included the garage foundation, footings, and slab, making potential foundation reuse an important consideration.
Localized Concrete Damage:
Cracking, spalling, and surface deterioration were observed mainly near the upper foundation walls rather than throughout the exposed below-grade sections.
Uncertain Material Condition:
Variations in concrete strength required further investigation to determine whether complete foundation replacement was necessary.
2. The Engineering Solution
Parsways conducted an independent structural assessment using document review, visual inspection, and field and laboratory testing.
a) Foundation Condition Assessment:
Visual inspection, crack measurements, sounding, and rebound hammer testing identified localized deterioration and evaluated concrete surface conditions.
b) Laboratory Concrete Testing:
Concrete core testing identified lower measured strengths in the upper wall sections compared with the corresponding lower portions.
c) Targeted Rehabilitation Strategy:
Controlled removal of deteriorated upper wall sections, localized concrete repairs, and appropriate structural anchorage were recommended.
3. The Outcome
Parsways confirmed that the existing foundation could be retained and reused with targeted rehabilitation, eliminating the need for complete replacement. This provided a more cost-effective approach to reconstruction, avoiding unnecessary foundation replacement expenses while establishing the repairs and structural requirements for safe reuse.