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State Theater Structural Review March 20, 2025 <br />WWW.MAGNUSENG.COM Page | 2 <br />In general, the cast-in-place concrete floor and balcony structures do not currently show signs of spalling, leaching <br />or cracking. The foundation system appears to be performing adequately with no observed signs of settlement <br />or foundation cracking. The masonry walls exhibit signs of spalling and delamination, generally around roof drain <br />piping that has been severed or otherwise damaged (Figure 4) or areas or massive water intrusion through the <br />roof (Figure 5). Local corrosion is visible in select areas of the structural steel in the roof structure (Figure 6). More <br />severe corrosion and delamination were observed in the structural steel support at the low end of the side <br />balconies in the theater space, specifically the south balcony, which is an area of high moisture exposure (Figure <br />7). <br />Recommendations <br />Roof Deck / Water Intrusion <br />The immediate step for slowing the continued deterioration of the structure is addressing the large failures of the <br />roof deck structure and roof drainage system. Gypsum roof decking is highly susceptible to deterioration when <br />exposed to moisture which is addressable only through replacement. Aerial photos provided by KAP reveal several <br />areas of the roof in which the roof membrane is not adhered to the structure and multiple areas where there is <br />evidence of water ponding (Figure 8). Areas of water ponding generally occur near roof drains that are either <br />currently blocked or have previously been blocked for a sustained period of time, or at areas where the roof <br />membrane is not adhered to the roof and has bunched up, thereby not providing a uniform drainage plane for <br />water to travel. Keller’s 2012 assessment noted several areas in which signs of water penetration through the <br />roof deck were present, including the area on the north wall where the large hole in the roof deck has developed <br />(Figure 9). Several other areas of the roof deck, particularly around the perimeter of the building (note, the <br />underside of the roof deck at the interior of the building was inaccessible for this assessment) are exhibiting very <br />similar signs of deterioration (Figure 10). <br />While it is generally believed that the roof deck away from the low points around the perimeter of the building is <br />in better condition in terms of deterioration due to moisture intrusion, it is very likely that local areas of roof deck <br />around roof penetrations will need to be replaced in a similar fashion. Deterioration of plaster ceiling construction <br />in the vicinity of roof vents and damage to roof vents evident in aerial photos (Figure 11) are indications that water <br />is getting into the structure at these points as well and similar roof deterioration to that observed around the <br />perimeter of the building should be anticipated. <br />Further, the lifespan of a gypsum roof deck is approximately 50 years if the system is well-maintained and kept <br />free of moisture. Given the apparent neglect of the building as a whole and the age of the structure being over <br />100 years, we recommend a thorough inspection of the complete roof deck to identify local areas of weakness <br />and that testing be done to confirm the roof deck possesses adequate fastener pullout capacity for the roofing <br />material applied, which may be a root cause of some of the roof membrane adherence issues currently present. <br />At a minimum, we recommend replacement of the gypsum roof deck around the entire perimeter of the building <br />from the exterior wall to the first roof purlin (approximately 8 -ft from the perimeter wall). One possible approach <br />to this replacement that would best maintain continuity in the roof system would be a gypsum roof deck that <br />would consist of steel bulb tees spanning from the exterior wall to the first roof purlin and spaced approximately <br />at 24 -in to 32 -in with a gypsum form board laid between the bulb tees that would support a 3” layer of poured <br />gypsum reinforced with a welded wire mesh. Another option for roof deck replacement around the perimeter <br />would be to use a more modernly conventional corrugated metal roof deck spanning from the exterior walls to <br />the first roof purlin, similar to the bulb tees previously described (Figure 12).