9-Exhibit A Bleacher Observation Report.pdf

H o b s o n S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r i n g, P. A.

P.O. Box 3972 · Seminole · Florida · 33775

(850) 933 - 4819

August 15, 2023

Marion County Board of County Commissioners 2602 SE Eighth St.

Ocala, FL 34471

Attn: Jared Goodspeed, Director ǀ Facilities Management

Re: Observations of Bleachers Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) Ocala, FL

Dear Mr. Goodspeed, This report is being provided to document our findings and recommendations toward the bleacher structures at the referenced property above.

I. Introduction

Per your request, a representative of this office provided a site visit to SELP to perform a visual observation of the bleacher structures and provide our opinion on the structure’s overall condition.

II. Background and Observations

There are two sets of bleachers at the referenced project constructed using steel angles, wide flanges, and pipe columns. The majority, if not all, of the connections in the structure are made using welds. The benches, risers, and walkways are a mix of aluminum and wooden planks held to the structure below with bolts or hidden fasteners.

During the site visit we walked the top side of the bleachers and underneath. We were looking for the overall “feel” of stability of the structure i.e., motion induced movements or deflections, trip hazards, broken or missing pieces, and damaged structural members withing the framing. The bleachers felt sound overall. The seats and walkways appeared straight and level. Most of the planking used for the seats and walkways was in good condition. A few of the aluminum planks appear to have had the fasteners come lose. Maintenance should periodically check for loose or missing fasteners and tighten or replace as required.

The structural steel members were in good condition save a few braces that were bent, a kinked vertical compression member, and one brace which was noticed to have had the welded end connection broken. Members that are severely bent out of plane or kinked should be replaced as the steel cannot be reshaped after being deformed. There was widespread corrosion located throughout both bleacher structures. None of the corrosion appeared to be at a concerning level but should be addressed to prolong the life of the structure. The corrosion should be cleaned/removed by blasting media or mechanical means and then recoated with an appropriate paint.

III. Field Photographs

Photograph No. 1 – East side bleachers. Note the wooden planks used for walkway and seats.

Photograph No. 2 – East bleacher walkway. Note that the walkway uses aluminum planks/decking. Some the planks bowed under weight indicating that they are most likely missing fasteners.

Photograph No. 3 – Typical view of the framing beneath the bleacher. Structure is composed of mostly angles.

Photograph No. 4 – Another view of the framing beneath the bleachers. Upper level framing is similar to the lower level and is supported by two columns lines with wide flange steel beams.

Photograph No. 5 – Vertical angle member that has twisted and deformed. This angle should be repaired. Multiple options of repair exist and should be orchestrated with a contractor and engineer.

Photograph No. 6 – Location where angle brace has broken loose from its connection.

Member should be re welded to the post.

IV. Conclusions

After visual evaluation it is our professional opinion that the bleachers are overall in good condition. The bleachers felt very sturdy and solid while walking on the top surface, the walkways had little to no bounce, and the supporting structure appeared to be well constructed. There were very minor issues found that should be repaired and/or corrected but do not pose any immediate issues to their use. Those items are as follows:

• (1) vertical angle needs to be replaced. This angle was located on the east side bleachers (see photograph no 5).

• Some of bracing angles have been bent out of shape, or kinked. These should be replaced with new members.

• Broken welds or similar conditions should be repaired (see photograph no. 6)

• Most of the steel appeared to be experiencing some level of corrosion.

Recommendation is to clean the steel surfaces and repaint the structure.

• Some of the aluminum planks bounce over the supporting members. This is most likely because the hidden fasteners have come loose. A thorough walk-through by maintenance personnel to replace and tighten fasteners at periodic intervals would be beneficial.

HSE reserves the right to alter and/or amend this report and the recommendations and conclusions herein, should more or differing information become available. No analysis or calculation was performed on the bleacher structure. This report is provided for the exclusive use of Marion County Board of County Commissioners and is not intended for use by any third-party entities.

Report Respectfully Submitted, Hobson Structural Engineering, P.A.

Daryl R. Hobson, P.E., S.E.

Florida P.E. No. #84399