EVALUATION OF THE CAUSES OF LOCALIZED FAILURE OF A BRICK BEARING PILLAR IN KURSK PUBLIC BUILDING

Abstract

The analysis of the emergency situation caused by the failure of the vertical bearing structure (brick pillar) arisen in the building built in the 1940s-1950s in the city of Kursk is carried out in the article. The specific features of the construction of the building under consideration for the period of 1950-2015 are presented. The sequence of extensions and overbuilt and added floors made at different times is revealed and given. Special attention is paid to the unconventional solution applied to the pitched reinforced concrete roof of the second floor of the original part of the building. A two-storey extension to the original building gable facade, using for covering standard ready-made hollow core concrete slabs installed with a significant slope to form a pitched roof is described. A structural solution of the 3rd overbuilt floor is given. The peculiarities of the structural solution of the above stairs flooring in the area of the existing pitched roof which was incorporated in the flooring have been revealed. The defects and damages of the main structural members, brick pillars, floor beams, separation partitions and other components of the building in different parts are described. A number of factors which caused the process of brick bearing pillar failure are determined. The results of the analysis of the design model of the building part in the area of the accident-caused damage when considering beyond design basis impacts concerning detected loads resulting in the stress destruction of the bearing brick pillar located on the first floor are presented. It is indicated that the undestroyed part of the building with significant strain damage remained relatively stable. The article also provides some recommendations concerning strengthening of the building under study in order to prevent progressive collapse.