Independent Advisory Committee Report

The 17-page Independent Advisory Committee Report "...contains the relevant findings and recommendations of the group that was formed at the recommendation of the chair (Norman R. Augustine) in response to questions posed by the (Montgomery) County Executive (Isiah Leggett) ." 

The report outlines the committee's limited scope in addition to its findings and recommendations: "...the County Executive sought advice on three specific issues: (1) the going-forward plan for completion of the Center; (2) the credibility of the currently projected “to-complete” costs; and (3) the viability of the currently projected schedule for completing proposed repairs." 

The qualifications, experience and credentials of the 4-man committee are impressive. The report addresses the committee's limited scope adequately; however, IMHO, the report does not adequately address the SSTC's complete lack of expansion joints (one of the major findings in the KCE report) as the probable source of the SSTC's extensive cracking. Nor does the report address how to remedy the problem causing the extensive cracking (the SSTC's complete lack of expansion joints).

The report states in part: "Unfortunately, the extensive cracking that has been observed (as documented by KCE in its report e.g. at pages 6 and 7 and as observed by the members of the Committee during site visits) is viewed as unacceptable and is indicative of design and/or construction deficiencies. Unacceptable cracks are present in slabs, beams, girders and columns (pages 43-44 of KCE report).

The Committee understands that the current recommendation of KCE with respect to cracking is as follows. The Latex-Modified Concrete topping will cover the cracks in the top of the slabs. All other cracks that are subject to infiltration by water and/or corrosive agents (e.g., de-icing chemicals) will need to be repaired. Given the facility’s history, it can be expected that over time cracks will reopen and new cracks will appear. This will not affect overall structural integrity as long as these cracks are promptly treated as per designed by a structural engineer."

I agree with the committee that "...The Latex-Modified Concrete topping will cover the cracks in the top of the slab". I also agree that "All other cracks that are subject to infiltration by water and/or corrosive agents (e.g., de-icing chemicals) will need to be repaired." However, I find the next couple of sentences vague and unconvincing: "Given the facility’s history, it can be expected that over time cracks will reopen and new cracks will appear. This will not affect overall structural integrity as long as these cracks are promptly treated as per designed by a structural engineer." 

The committee states that "Unacceptable cracks are present in slabs, beams, girders and columns (pages 43-44 of KCE report)"; however, the committee seemingly contradicts itself by further saying that "...over time cracks will reopen and new cracks will appear", and suggests these cracks are acceptable "as long as these cracks are promptly treated as per designed by a structural engineer". 

Are existing cracks on the underside of decks and through beams, girders and columns acceptable or are they not? If they are unacceptable, as the committee previously states (and I agree), then what caused them, and can the cause be remedied? "...cracks are promptly treated as per designed by a structural engineer" is simply not specific enough to determine if the existing extensive cracking and the source of the cracking (the SSTC's complete lack of expansion joints) will be corrected. Without specifics I am unconvinced of the "overall structural integrity" of the Silver Spring Transit Center.