Additional Building Construction

Wow (8) 16 mm reinforcing bars. Sounds like these were structural (load bearing) columns. If (8) rebars were designed for the column how did they ever install only (4). Was this a deviation between the RFP and the design plans, or between the design plans and the as-built? if this is an as-built deviation from the plans, why didn't the building inspector catch it during reinforcement inspection?

Is your building all concrete construction? What is the roof material used? distances between posts each direction, etc, and kind of construction intended for the proposed 3rd floor? And what you mean by "the base foundations specs were all met", is it adding and/or assuming additional loads from the intended 3rd floor already?

More detailed information need, i.e, occupancy.

BTW, your concrete posts only met the minimum specs, that's the least you can have for the smallest section 25 cm x 25 cm w/ 4-16mm deformed bars allowed by codes. Is the section from the design drawings bigger that the minimum 25 cm x 25 cm stated and that supposed to have 8 instead of 4?

Yes sir, the construction is assuming additional loads from the intended 3rd floor already.

I am not a civil engineer. Do you mean that my concrete posts is ok for my proposed 3rd floor additional?

Run new complimentary posts and peripheral beams ouside the old structure to pick up the weight of the 3rd floor walls and roof slab. You would have to use roof trusses sufficient to span the entire structure since running new posts in the middle of the building would create havoc internally. Mechanically connect the new with the old.

Hire an outside inspection agncy to monitor the work and insure it is done according to plan. If that had been done the first time around you wouldn't be facing this dilemma.

Theoretically the first builder if they are still in business would have insurance to cover their error if they were negligent. However the insurance co might deem the error a willfull attempt to save money and therebye being a deliberate act, deny them coverage.

How did you find out the original construction only had 4 pcs of rebar instead of 8 since it is all covered? Don't tell me you have rebar sticking up through the roof slab or have you already started construction and discovered this issue.

Everyone is assuming an error was made in the existing structure. That is not what I am reading. I believe he is saying that he wants to add a 3rd floor to his existing 2 storey building, and that the specs of his current structure are identical to that of a 3 storey, except for the rebar issue.

Thanks to your reply. Yes Munky, what you stated is right, I would like to add a 3rd floor to my existing 2 storey building with a rebar issue only. My plan is to roof the 3rd floor with steel trusses and GI sheets to lessen the burden underneath. Is my concept right? The first and second floor is designed for transient rooms or hotels, and my plan for the third floor is for rent to a vocational college school.... it will be a complete area and maybe using woods for divisions if required.

I discovered the rebar issue upon seeing the picture file of the building undergoing construction.

Please add more comments and suggestions, especially on how will I build the additional storey. Thanks to all of you

You are right Munky, I misread the original question and there is nothing to indicate that the original requirement was for anything more than what was built.