Energy Efficient Building Network

Structural Repairs To Exterior Stairs For Access To Second Floor Of Budget Hotel in Mid-Michigan / East-Central Michigan -- Anand Enterprises Project YalY1J2601

2026-08-14T15:43:15.341-07:00

The 2-Star Budget Hotel has two buildings that need structural repairs to exterior stairs -- to the broken concrete landing at the second floor, the corroding steel frame of the landing, the supporting square tube columns, and the broken/cracked concrete around the stairs at the grade level.

Met with the Building Official and provided for a plan to restore the structural integrity of the exterior stairs of the two buildings

Progress Pictures As Of Aug-14-2026

With the completion of the repairing/replacing broken and/or cracked concrete at the base of the stairs for both Building A and Building B, we are getting started with the structural steel repairs for the stairs and landings. In this busy construction season, it took us a little while to select a contractor available to do the steel work -- however now we are back on track .

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-02-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-05-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-10-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-14-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-23-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-24-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Sep-26-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Oct-06-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Oct-16-2026

Restoring Structural Integrity Of 1850s Vintage Barn In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project WegD1J2601

2026-08-04T16:06:28.634-07:00

Restoring Structural Integrity Of 1850s Vintage Barn

It is a majestic structure that has seen better days. When I met with the Project Manager Dan at the project site, the barn had been lifted off the deteriorating foundation. It is a pretty tall structure, the upper First Floor is some 32' tall at the peak. It has a walkout basement on the East side, and one can walk on to the First Floor from the West side grade. There is a silo on the North West corner of the barn.

It is a fast track project. The foundation is to be designed and built, temporary supporting and lifting structure is to be removed, the first floor structure is to be reinforced, the barn structure is to be supported on to the new foundation to get the restored barn ready for for its first major gathering in early September.

I will continually update the blog to keep every one interested in the progress of the project informed of the happenings as we go along.

So without much further adoo, I will mostly let the pictures do the talking!

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PROJECT TEAM

General Contractor Project Manager: Dan Wega, Premier Painting and Home Services +1 520-975-5127 pm4460heron@gmail.com

Structure Lifting by: D&B Movers, Expert Structure Raising and Foundation +1 734-497-7956

Structural Engineering by: Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. of ANAND Enterprises -- of Rochester Hills MI +1 248-766-1546 yogia1@gmail.com energyefficientbuild.com energyefficientbuild.blogspot.com

Architectural Work by: Steve Eggleston, Sol Studio -- of River Rouge MI +1 970-846-2147 SolStudio@earthlink.net

Foundation Contractor: Michael Waltz of Waltz Concrete of Ann Arbor MI +1 517-605-8184 waltzconcrete@yahoo.com

Structural Steel Supplier: Jim Sowards, Sowards Enterprises -- of Trenton MI +1 734-717-3905 j_sowards@hotmai.com

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Pictures As Of Jun-22-2026

Pictures As Of Jul-29-2026

Pictures As Of Aug-04-22026

Pictures As Of Aug-05-2026

Pictures As Of Aug-06-2026

Pictures As Of Aug-07-2026

The concrete blocks installed on top of poured concrete walls need to be doweled into poured concrete with say #5 @ 32" to 48" c/c and are to be grouted solid.

Pictures As Of Aug-08-2026

Jim Sowards, Dan Wega, and I were at the project site this morning -- Jim wanted to take some more measurement for the steel to be fabricated for reinforcing the wood beams and the new steel columns supporting the first floor of the barn.

Then I returned in the afternoon to see if some more block masonry had been installed over the poured concrete foundation walls. I did not find that more block masonry had been installed.

However, I began to think about placing backfill against the foundation wall on the West side -- what if we built a bridge over the foundation and the existing grade on the West side ... with bridge overlooking a pool, rain garden or landscaping / hardscaping features below. If we did create a pool, we could fit the silo with changing rooms, and so on.

I did discuss with Dan about proposing this concept to the home-owners and see what they say.

I also discussed it with my architect colleague Steve Eggleston -- following is an interesting rendering by Steve

The area on the West side is excavated. Yes backfilling is possible, but there is expense involved in backfilling -- and presented in the preceding are some thoughts about alternates that are feasible!

Progress Pictures As Of Aug-11-2026

Progress Pictures As Of Aug-12-2026

Aug 15th-2026 Job Site Meeting With Project Manager

With the completion of the work on the foundation wall recently, I have not had much to report in the last few days.

In today's on-site meeting with the project manager, we did discuss the following ...

Wall Plate nominally 2x12 to be anchored to top of foundation with 5/8" dia bolts at nominally 5'-4" c/c starting from 12" from the corners.

Make sure that the bottom of the wall studs is true and square with all rotten portion removed and reinforced as needed (including providing additional stud walls, posts, and wood beams) to ensure that the barn walls are securely supported on top of the foundation when the lift beams currently supporting the barn walls are removed.

At the base of the vertical trusses in the barn walls, make sure that the base of the trusses is fastened to the foundation wall with steel straps, steel channels, Simpson strong tie straps, plates, or continuity walls to the base of the foundation for a safe and secure connection.

Project manager has plans to backfill the west side of the foundation with granular material preferably with Keene building products dimpled mat fastened to the wall at the top and bottom wrapping the Keene mat over the drain tile at the base of the wall.

My work, the scope of which included designing the foundation, and to provide design for one row of interior steel columns, and to provide design for reinforcing of the rotted wood beams is essentially complete -- do not need the steel strong backs because of the existence of a number of vertical wood trusses across the long walls of the barn.

It is my understanding that the objective of the project manager is to secure the barn walls and the first floor of the barn to the newly installed foundation to get the barn ready for the large family function in the beginning of September 2026 and the project manager anticipates that there will be additional work that would need to be done after the family function of September 2026.

Aug 17th-2026 Site Visit And Assessment Of Work That Still Needs To Be Completed For Function In Beginning Of September

I don't mean to overstep my area of responsibility which has primarily been to provide the design of the new foundation for the barn -- but it behoves me to say what I am seeing

There is a lot of work that still needs to be done and I am afraid that -- for the backfill to be placed on the west side of the barn, the interior steel columns to be installed, the steel reinforcement of rotted wood beam, installing wall plate on top of new foundation, making sure that the bottom of the stud walls is repaired to be true and square for placing on the new foundation, needed touch up and cleaning for the function -- we are running out of time.

Now we need to focus on getting the barn ready for the family function in September ....

o get the backfill fully or partially done to provide for access to the first floor of barn

o consider the possibility of a wood bridge from the West side of the property to first floor of barn

and

o consider postponing some of the work to be done after the function

I will be glad to discuss my thoughts with Dan, Jim, Steve, and other interested parties.

Aug 20th-2026 Progress Report

I asked Dan Wega as to how things are going and what progress has been made recently because I wanted to stop by the job site, take progress pictures and post in my blog. Dan asked me to come to the job site on Aug 21st when he would be meeting the Building Official between 10:30 and 11:00. I did tell Dan that I had already set up a meeting at 11:00 am in Pontiac MI -- but I will reschedule my meeting in Pontiac and be at the job site on Aug 21st at around 10:00 am and then take it from there.

Aug 21st-2026 Progress Report

Waltz Concrete crew was at the job site and Mike was laying another course of block on the West side foundation -- part of the underside of the barn stud wall had been repaired to worn a wall plate that would have a sill seal at the bottom and would be supported on top of the foundation and the wall plate would be anchored to the top of the foundation with expansion anchors at nominally 5' c/c and at 12" from the corners.

Dan's plan included backfilling on the West side in the next few days, reinforce the beams and the interior of barn below the first floor and lower the barn walls on top of the foundation -- that is a lot of work that needs to be done in the next few days in preparation for facilitating the family function in the beginning of September.

Jim Sowards help is essential in installing the steel members -- Jim please do talk to Dan

Steve Eggleston will have to catch up with Dan on the job site and update the cross section, the longitudinal section, the location of the drain tile at basement, show where the drain would see sunshine, and waterproofing of the foundation wall on the west side.

In the following I add pictures that I took on Aug-21st 2026

Aug 21st-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 22nd-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 24th-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 25th-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 26th-2026 12:00 pm Progress Pictures

Aug 26th-2026 6:00 pm Progress Pictures

Aug 27th-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 28th-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 29th-2026 Progress Pictures

Aug 31st-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 1st-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 2nd 2026 -- Yes Siree ... I was at the project site this afternoon and saw the upper level of the barn was being cleaned -- dusted off, broomed and getting readied for the family gathering. The electrician was working at the lower level, and I saw that a new batch of blocks and mortar had been brought-in. Yes, there is a lot of work that still needs to done -- a lot of structural work needs to be done and some of it may get done after the upcoming family gathering.

It was really heartening to see that the final cleaning of the upper level of the barn taking place for the upcoming family gathering.

In the following, I present a few progress pictures as of Sep 2nd 2026 afternoon

Sep 2nd-2026 Progress Pictures

Yes Sir ... we have a come a long way, and though there is a lot of work that still is to be done, we are inching towards the finish line for the upcoming family gathering in the barn.

Sep 3rd-2026 Tornado In The Area

Sep 4th-2026 Thunder Storm in The Area

Sep 5th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 5th 2026 -- I met with Dan and Dan's colleague Vince at the project site this morning and had a conference call with Jim Sowards about the barn not sitting concentrically on the foundation wall -- at the corners and North and South end the barn walls do sit pretty squarely on the foundation wall but at mid width, the outer edge of the barn walls overhang by couple of inches on the east side and is inset by about 7 inches on the West side.

We did some brain storming about the options of pulling in the barn so that the barn walls sit concentrically on the foundation walls, and the constraints to pulling the barn walls because of the plywood decking at the barn floor making for a stiff diaphragm.

We concluded that for now it is best to provide some additional supports on the inside of the foundation on the West side -- with age of the barn and the brittleness of the wood, it would be best to leave it as is for now and get the barn ready for the soon upcoming family gathering.

We will provide for some elongated holes at the interface of the barn support beams and the top of the steel columns, so that in case straightening of the barn is attempted later on, the elongated holes will allow for the movement of the barn floor laterally.

Sep 8th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 9th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 20th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 24th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 28th-2026 Progress Pictures

Sep 29th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-4th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-5th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-7th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-8th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-12th-2026 Progress Pictures

Oct-16th-2026 Progress Pictures

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Monument Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures

2025-11-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

Subdivision Entrance Monument Wall

Located in Southeastern Michigan

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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Progress pictures Will Continue To Be Added By Date In Chronological Order

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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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Friday, October 17, 2025

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October 20, 2025

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October 21, 2025

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October 23, 2025

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October 24, 2025

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October 27, 2025

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Oct 28, 2025

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Oct 29, 2025

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Oct 31, 2025

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Nov 01, 2025

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Nov-06-2025

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Nov-07-2025

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Nov-11-2025

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Nov-13-2025

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Nov-23-2025

Concrete Placement In Crawl Floor Slab New House In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project CanD1J2303

2024-10-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

I was at the job site this morning to check Readiness For Concrete Placement and for witnessing the Concrete Placement in the crawl space of the new house under construction.

Dino Cancilliari, Lenny, Dan, and the crew had everything under control -- with a power buggy and the small nominally 3 cyd ready mix concrete truck.

Peripheral Block Walls Of Crawl Space Of New House In SouthEastern M-- Readiness For Concrete Placement -- ANAND Enterprises Project CanD1J2303

2024-09-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

I was at the job site this morning to check Readiness For Concrete Placement in peripheral block walls of the crawl space of the new house under construction.

Lenny and Dan were waiting for the concrete tuck to arrive -- the walls were ready to receive the concrete fill.

Concrete Placement In Wall Footings Of New House In SouthEastern MI -- ANAND Enterprises Project CanD1J2303

2024-08-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was at the job site this morning to look witness concrete placement in the footings for walls of the new house. The footings were neatly dug up -- the bottom of the footings was dry, no debris no caving in of the sides of the footings. Because of load limit on the access bridge to the site small concrete trucks with 3 to 3.25 cubic yards of concrete were being used. The weather was nice, partly cloudy, calm winds, no rain. The concrete placement had begun at around 7:30 am.

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-21-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Subdivision Entrance Monument Wall

Located in Southeastern Michigan

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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The graded area at the back of the wall has now been covered with straw and seeded. Some grass area at the East side of the wall had been damaged by the concrete pump truck getting over the grass ... that has also been graded, strawed and seeded.

We are all done -- Lou and his crew have done a great job, restoration work done expertly and professionally. The site has been cleared of all debris and construction equipment. The home owners association people will be very happy with the job well done.

A JOB WELL DONE!

Professionally, Expertly, Cost Effectively, In A Timely Manner -- Thanks To Lou And His Crew.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-20-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Subdivision Entrance Monument Wall

Located in Southeastern Michigan

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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The drain tile with the sock surrounded by peastone has been embedded in the trench -- the drain tile running along the the length at the back of the wall is sloped with a crown at length so the drain tile would spit out the water at each end. Following the natural contour lay of the area the surface from the the back of the wall has been graded to form a swale running along the length of the trench and the drain tile. The graded area from the trench line to the back of the wall has now been covered with top soil.

The drain tile has been laid in the trench surrounde bty pea gravel and now the trench has been covered with top soil. The next step is to spread some grass seed and hooray we would be heading to the home stretch successfully completing the project soon.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-18-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Subdivision Entrance Monument Wall

Located in Southeastern Michigan

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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Restoration work has been progressing well -- getting to the home stretch now ...

Area at the back of wall is being graded in such a way that the surface runoff sheds away from the wall, and additionally a trench drain with socked perforated corrugated drain tile is being provided some 4 ft away from the face of the wall.

The trenching work and laying the drain tile is progressing well and will be completed soon --

leading to successful completion of a difficult project!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-16-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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The upper part of the lime stone columns is in place now -- concrete cap, buttresses at the back of the wall, and lime stone columns and with structural repairs to the wall implemented, the aesthetic beauty of the wall has been enhanced and the monument wall is now structurally sound.

The scaffolding is coming off -- so the work on the wall is nearing completion. Just the work on grading at the back of the wall and channel or drain tile to shed the surface runoff away from the wall remains to be completed. With the completion of work on the project, Lou thinks the Home Owners Association may want some work done on the North Monument Wall of the subdivision.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-15-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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Yes Sir -- concrete cap on top of monument wall is looking good -- the forms have been totally stripped. The wall is now getting the make up and the wall is looking beautiful.
Now waiting for the limestone columns to be capped.

Yes Sir ... Thanks to Lou and the crew of American Masonry Construction, the wall being worked on is beginning to look like a new wall. With forms totally stripped from the concrete cap, Kirkland subdivision entrance monument wall at the south side is beginning to look like a new wall.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-14-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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My field visit to the job site this afternoon showed that the top part of the form of the concrete cap has been stripped. Saw cuts have been made at the top of concrete cap. Top of the concrete cap on buttresses have received a smooth finish. Now waiting for the limestone columns to be capped.

Yes Sir ... the wall being worked on is beginning to look like a new wall. Kirkland subdivision entrance monument wall at the south side is beginning to look like a new wall.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-13-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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With the uneven width at wall top, uneven wall height, horizontal and vertical curves, intevening lime stone clad pillars, it was a task and a half to get the form work ready for the concrete pour. Yes Sir, Lou and his crew got it done. The fiber mesh has been used in the concrete mix to prevent surface cracking.

Yes Sir ... concrete cap is poured -- Great Job by Lou and his crew to get the boom pump on this site and getting the concrete cap poured!

Now we will wait to have the concrete cap form work stripped, touched up as needed for a smooth finish, and making the saw cuts every 6 to 8 ft.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-12-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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Pretty nice day today Jul 12th -- not too hot, nice breeze, pleasant to work in. Lou and his crew are getting the the form work ready to hopefully pour the concrete cap tomorrow. Putting the concrete cap on the brick wall will stop the water from going into the brick and block wall and thus prevent the damage to the face bricks from freeze thaw. Following are some pictures of the work in progress showing how the lime stone cladding has been tied laterally and face brick on each side has been tied to block wall in the middle. Block wall has rebars sticking out on top to help anchor the concrete cap to the block wall.

Can't wait to see the concrete cap pouring tomorrow!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-11-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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There was no work on the site on Jul-10-2024 because of rain most of the day. Lou and crew of American Masonry back to full force today on July 11th -- working on lime stone column cladding, prepping top of brick wall for concrete cap. Following are a few pictures I took during my field visit in the afternoon.

Lou and his crew of American Masonry Company hard at work doing a great job!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-09-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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Work on restoration of the wall is going on well ... Thanks to Lou and his crew of American Masonry Company. I had presented Progress Pictures as of Jul-08-2024 in my following blog post

https://energyefficientbuild.blogspot.com/2024/07/structural-repairs-to-subdivision_8.html

In the following I present some Progress Pictures as of Jul-09-2024 showing lateral support block piers being filled, lime stone column cladding being removed and being straightened, continuing to remove and replace broken bricks, chipping out cracked mortar and remortaring the bricks.

With Lou working on this -- the project is in great hands -- in the hands of a master builder!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-08-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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I was at the job site this afternoon and Lou's crew was hard at work, doing -- let me have the pictures do the talking

Great Job by Lou and his crew!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-06-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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I was at the job site at around 11:00 this morning and Lou and his crew were hard at work, doing -- let me have the pictures do the talking

Great Job by Lou and his crew!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-05-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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in my last blog post,

https://energyefficientbuild.blogspot.com/2024/07/structural-repairs-to-subdivision.html

I showed progress pictures as of Jul-03-2024 ... work on the project is going on a pretty fast clip. Today, I visited the job site this morning, then around lunch time, and then this evening. Lou and his crew are making good progress

In today's following pictures, I have included the broken bricks having been taken out, cracked and broken mortar chipped out, power washing of portions of the wall, removing top portion of the two limestone pillars, and work on the buttresses at the back of the wall.

Lou and his crew ... Great Progress Guys!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

Structural Repairs To SubDivision Entrance Wall In SouthEastern Michigan -- Progress Pictures As of Jul-03-2024 -- ANAND Enterprises Project KirH1J2401

2024-07-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Entrance Monument Wall -- Kirkland Subdivision

in Rochester (Oakland Township) MI

Restoration Work

Contractor: American Masonry Construction -- Brick Block Concrete Stone Restoration Experts

Lou Kopenick - Owner

Engineering Consultant: ANAND Enterprises

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.

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This beautiful wall welcomes you to the luxurious homes in the subdivision. The wall was built in the early 2000s and with over 20 years of exposure to elements and some other reasons, the wall is beginning to show its age. The concrete masonry block in the center core has brick veneer on both sides. The face bricks have cracks, bricks are broken at places, have separated from the core cmu -- just a sample of ills being faced by this wall. In discussion with the home owners association management, it was decided to come up with a solution based on practical engineering to try to restore the structural integrity and aesthetic beauty of the wall as best as it can be done without have to demolish the wall and rebuild it.

Not many engineers and contractors were anxious to take on this challenging project -- I was fortunate to have American Masonry get interested in taking on this contract and with the able guidance and support of the home owners association management, the work on the wall has begun.

Through this blog, I will follow up with the work and provide progress pictures that will constitute the as-built documentation of the repair work on the wall.

With Lou working on this -- the project is in great hands -- in the hands of a master builder!

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E. -- ANAND Enterprises

and

Lou Kopenick of American Masonry Construction

RollUp Door Installation -- Illustrative Video In Industrial Building -- ANAND Enterprises Project HymB1J2301 in SouthEastern MI

2024-03-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

This Video Is For Installation Of RollUp Door

Illustration Of A Typical Door

YOU Must Follow Specific Instructions Furnished By Your Specific Door Supplier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb1wuPbGeFE&t=26s

Reviewing Structural Integrity of Existing Walls For Second Story Addition To House In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project LinR1J2401

2024-01-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

I visited the project site today to look at the structural condition of the existing structure for the proposed second story addition.

My walk down inspection of the interior and the exterior of the house indicated that the existing walls can safely support the addition of the second floor to the house.

In the following I present some of the pictures I took during my walk down inspection. If anything unusual is encountered when things are opened up in the field, the Project Manager will be notified promptly who will contact the Architect/Engineer for handling the situation in a satisfactory manner.

Concrete Placemenrt In Basement ICF Walls Of New House In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project RedW1J2301

2023-12-21T15:04:00.000-08:00

I was at the job site this afternoon to look at the concrete placement in the basement ICF walls. In the following I present some pictures that I took during my field visit. The footings were poured on Dec 14th -- see https://energyefficientbuild.blogspot.com/2023/12/concrete-placemenrt-in-footings-of-new.html

Concrete Placemenrt In Footings Of New House with ICF Walls In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project RedW1J2301

2023-12-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

I was at the job site this afternoon to look at the concrete placement in the footings of the new house with ICF walls. In the following I present some pictures that I took during my field visit

Reviewing Structural Integrity of Existing Walls For Second Story Addition To House In SouthEastern Michigan -- ANAND Enterprises Project OstZ1J2322

2023-10-22T13:35:00.008-07:00

I visited the project site today to look at the structural condition of the existing first floor and basement walls for the proposed second story addition.

My walk down inspection of the interior and the exterior of the house indicated that the existing walls can safely support the addition of the second floor to the house.

Sincerely

Yogi Anand, DEng, P.E.