JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING SCIENCES VOL.
5(18), ISSUE 2/2015
ISSN: 2247-3769 / e-ISSN: 2284-7197 ART.NO. 196, pp. 87-93
THE INFLUENCE OF FOUNDATION SOILS CONCERNIG THE BEHAVIOUR OF
BUILDINGS
M. Tudorică a, *, C. Bob b
a,*
University of Oradea, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Barbu Stefanescu Delavreancea Street, No.4, Oradea, Romania
b
"Polytechnic" University of Timisoara, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Traian Lalescu Street, No.2, Timisoara 300233, Timis, Romania,
e-mail: [email protected]
Received: 10.09.2015 / Accepted: 10.10.2015 / Revised: 19.11.2015 / Available online: 15.12.2015
DOI: 10.1515/jaes-2015-0026
KEY WORDS: soil injection, soil consolidation, structure consolidation, masonry structure, shrinking and swelling soils
ABSTRACT:
An issue more and more important in construction science represents the rehabilitation of structures placed on difficult soils. This
paper presents the behaviour analysis of an existing structure and summarizes several consolidation solutions at both levels of a
severely damaged construction placed on a shrinking and swelling soil, located in Arad County - Romania, situated on 55 Revolutiei
Avenue. These types of soils are known in specialty literature as shrinking fields, expansive or active soils, having the property to
modify sensitively their entire volume when there are variations of moisture, being spread on a large scale in Romania. After the
assessment of seismic safety for a section of the damaged structure, which is characterized by a high risk of collapse from seismic
action, reason for which it has been proposed to immediate by consolidate the damaged construction.
1. INTRODUCTION This movement in the soil results in structural damages
especially in lightweight structures such as sidewalks,
A series of buildings from all over the world are driveways, basement floors, pipelines and foundation
founded on difficult soils. One of this soil is (Tawfiq, 2009).
represented by those who present shrinkage and
swelling properties (the abbreviation in Romanian The variation of volume for these types of soils does not
language is PUCM ). occur uniformly across the entire built area, so supporting
structures are submitted for further actions - supports
These type of soils are known as shrinking fields, disposals against soil shrinkage and swelling pressures on
expansive or active soils, having the property to the surface of foundation base at the process of soil
exhibit large volume changes when their water content expansion (NP 126-2010).
changes (Ito, 2010). These kinds of soils due to the
alternative process of shrinkage and swelling due to Expansive soils owe their characteristics to the presence
seasonal climatic variations lead to development of of swelling clay minerals. As they get wet, the clay
significant degradations in the civil infrastructure minerals absorb water molecules and expand; conversely,
system. as they dry they shrink, leaving large voids in the soil.
Swelling clays can control the behaviour of virtually any
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JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING SCIENCES VOL. 5(18), ISSUE 2/2015
ISSN: 2247-3769 / e-ISSN: 2284-7197 ART.NO. 196, pp. 87-93
type of soil if the percentage of clay is more than
about 5 percent of the weight. Potentially expansive
soils can typically be recognized in the lab by their
plastic properties. Inorganic clays of high plasticity,
generally those with liquid limits exceeding 50
percent and plasticity index over 30, usually have high
inherent swelling capacity (Das, 2014).
In case of contractile fields, as a result of swelling due
to moistening and of shrinkage due to drying, it may
appear the risk of degradation or foundation breaking,
phenomenon followed by the occurrence of fissures in
brick walls or cracks in the structural masonry walls
(Popa, 2013).
In Romania, until now were identified the following
areas where shrinking and swelling soils are located:
in Carpathian areas of Oltenia, Muntenia, Banat, and
isolated areas in Dobrogea and Muntenia; particular in
the Transylvanian plateau to the north, in the hilly
areas of western plains, in meadow areas and terraces
of rivers, especially in the Moldovan plateau and in
some areas of meadow and Danube Delta (NE 001-
96).
2. CASE STUDY Figure 1. The analyzed masonry building
The present paper has the objective to analyze the The main damages of the resistance structure can be
behaviour of a damaged building, realized from grouped in 2 categories. The first category is represented
masonry, located Arad County, situated on 55 by the cracks in the masonry bearing walls as seen in
Revolutiei Avenue, which shows significant damages figure 2 and some cracks at the interior corners of the
as a consequence of soil failure under a section of the walls as seen in figure 3. The second category is
building, as well as the structural weaknesses of the illustrated by the corrosion and deformation of some
resistance structure. metallic elements from the interior courtyard balconies
and some slabs.
Existing structures built before 1970s are gravity load
designed with inadequate lateral load resistance
because earlier codes specified lower levels of seismic
loads and many of these structures are still in service
beyond their design life. On the other hand, some
deterioration of component parts of buildings is
encountered in old structures due to the actions of
different factors (Dan, 2006).
The damaged building illustrated in figure 1, was
analyzed in accordance with the requirements of
"Seismic Design Code - Part III - Provisions seismic
evaluation of existing buildings, Sings P100- 3/2008",
in order to place the construction in seismic risk
classes.
Figure 2. Cracks in masonry bearing walls
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JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING SCIENCES VOL. 5(18), ISSUE 2/2015
ISSN: 2247-3769 / e-ISSN: 2284-7197 ART.NO. 196, pp. 87-93
3. THE DEGRADATION CAUSES ON A SECTION
OF BUILDING
From the inspection of the damaged building were
evidenced the main causes of degradation.
3.1. Arranging basement of a building
The arrangement work of the building basement took
place in 2001 and involved 2 major operations which
have contributed to volume changes in the contractile
ground.
First operation is represented by repairing the sewage
equipments, which led to a decrease of water level in the
ground under the construction.
Figure. 3 Cracks at interior corners of the walls
The second operation was represented by lowering the
By the configuration and orientation of those cracks it floor level at the basement construction on a specific
can be concluded that the part of construction situated area, by removing a significant amount of soil, which
between axes B 1-3 and E 1-3 as seen in figure 4, was contributes to easier water evaporation from the soil
affected by a strong subsidence, with more situated under construction and to a decrease of the
pronounced tendency of subsidence at the blind wall E allowable pressure of the ground.
1-3. This is illustrated by both cracks: first is an
oblique crack from the blind wall, positioned on the 3.2. The presence of some trees near construction
building section D- E of row 1, second crack is in the
lintels of the analyzed section. Another factor that contributed to the degradation of the
analyzed section is represented by the presence of a
walnut tree about 15 m height placed near the blind wall
E 1-2, which is found at the distance of 1.9 m from the
analyzed building, as well as a tree placed at 7 m from
the building.
One of the most important sources which generate soil
drying by absorbing moisture from the ground is
represented by placing vegetation too close to the
construction, through the effect of dewatering process
produced by trees (Roman, 2010). Over 80% of the
damages caused to a construction founded on contractile
clay soils are due to the existence or planting trees and
shrubs (NP 126-2010).
The zone of influence for changing the soil moisture,
owed to the dewatering phenomenon, it is both spread in
depth and horizontally in the ground at (0.5 - 1.00) H,
where H is the height of the tree. The area of influence
through the effect of dewatering concerning the analyzed
construction extends to 7-15 m.
This degradation factor is highlighted by the fact that the
phenomenon of subsidence, that led to the occurrence of
fissures and cracks, occurred predominantly in the
influence area of the tree, on the section B 1-3 and E 1-3,
Figure 4. Section analyzed between axes B 1-3 as well as the building residents statements, like there
and E 1-3 were "slight fissures and apparent cracks" before 2001,
when the arrangement of the building basement started.
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The level oscillation of the landing in the stairwell, The steel beams of the balconies were not protected for a
have appeared probably from the swelling of the long period of time, by covering or painting them
contractile soil, where the phenomena of dewatering regularly, which led to their degradation even to
and descending water level in the foundation soil did removing them from service.
not occur, because this area is far away from the
factors that produce the loss of moisture.
4. ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING SAFETY
In the specialized literature is stipulated that the effect THROUGH CALCULATION
manifests itself more intensely, leading to the
appearance of cracks in the upper part of the walls The evaluation of seismic safety and the classification of
(NP 126-2010). seismic risk classes are made on 3 categories of
conditions which make the object of investigations and
3.3. Structural weaknesses of the resistance analyses performed within assessment.
structure
The final decision regarding the safety of structure
The vulnerability of existing structure may be due to (including classification of seismic risk class of the
structural system weaknesses and specific detailing. construction) and the required intervention measures are
Structural weaknesses are characterized by various guided in the way that the 3 categories of conditions are
irregularities and discontinuities or by structural satisfied, quantified through 3 indicators: (P100-1/2013).
vulnerabilities (Bob, 2006).
R1 - the degree of achieving the conditions of structural
Structural weaknesses of the resistance structure owed conformation;
to the period when it was realized (1870) is a quite R2 - the degree of structural damage;
important cause that led to the development of cracks R3 - the degree of seismic structural insurance.
and to the emphasized deformations of the resistance
structure. According to the value resulting from the conditions of
structural conformation R1=0.40, the construction
Main structural system weaknesses: corresponds to the seismic risk class RS II.
1. Absence of reinforced concrete beams at each From the conditions of structural damage of the degree
level; value R2=0.35, the construction is framed in the seismic
risk class RS I.
2. Absence of reinforced concrete pillars;
The degree of seismic structural insurance, denoted with
3. Sharp asymmetry in plan in both directions. The R3 represents the ratio between the seismic capacity and
section D-E 1-3 has a much lower rigidity, the seismic structural requirements, expressed in terms of
compared to the main section; resistance (P100-1/2013 and P100-3/2008).
4. The irregular setting of diaphragms, like the big The loading for the affected part of the analyzed building
distance between them; - section BE 1-3 was considered as the sum of the loads
of walls, the roof truss (including snow), the loads of the
5. The slabs made of metallic beams, with little slabs weight (permanent and variable loads), resulting a
arches of brick do not provide sufficient total load m=3778kN.
rigidity in horizontal plan;
The value of seismic action, according to P100-1/2013 in
6. Significant level heights. the design of existing buildings resulted Fb=856 kN.
3.4. The lack of protection of some metallic Fb = γ1 ⋅ S d (T1 ) ⋅ m ⋅ λ (1)
elements
Corrosion and the deformation of some metallic a ⋅β
g 0
elements of the balconies resulted in a long period of Sd = ( 2)
q
time, as a consequence of electrochemical corrosion
processes. In case of external humidity (RH > 70%)
the electrochemical corrosion process of metallic αu
q = 1 .5 (3)
elements with micro crystals occurs at higher or lower αI
speeds, in case of an improper protection (EN 1993-1-
1:2006).
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3/ 4 of the building frames the entire construction in the
T1 = ct ⋅ H = 0.343 s ( 4)
seismic risk class RS II.
where: g1 = 1 - factor of importance / exposure;
Sd(T1) =0.27- the ordinate of design response 5. CONSOLIDATION SOLUTIONS PROPOSED
spectrum, corresponding to the fundamental FOR THE ANALYZED CONSTRUCTION
period T1;
ct = 0.045 - depending on the type of Following the technical expertise which lay behind the
structure; rehabilitation project, the following stages were proposed
H = 15m - building height in meters; to consolidate the building, in chronological order:
T1 = 0.343s - fundamental vibration period of
the building; 1st stage. Cutting and uprooting the two trees located near
Tc=0.7s -control corner period of the elastic the building. It is known that the tree roots remain active
response spectrum; a long period after cutting the trees.
l=0.85 - correction factor (T1 =0.343s < Tc
=0.7s); 2nd stage. Soil consolidation by injection of laitance -
q = 1.65 - behaviour factor; bentonite in the ground under foundations, to increase the
αu bearing capacity of the soil and to decrease the
= 1.10 - factor which takes into account
αI deformation capacity. There will be realised 144 points
of injection of a cement-bentonite suspension under the
the over strength of the building, especially existing foundations.
the redundancy of the structure;
ag=0.16g - the land design acceleration; 3rd stage. Execution of isolated foundations under the
β0=2.75 - elastic response spectrum new columns of the reinforced concrete frame.
normalized.
4th stage. Realization of reinforced concrete frames, with
The verification of strength capacity for the entire the purpose to stabilize the entire ensemble of the
section of building B 1-3 and E 1-3 was performed on building.
both directions, according to the formula (5).
5th stage. The reinforced concrete frames are connected to
S cap the existent structure through flat girdles 30x5cm (30cm
R3 = ( 5) wide and 5cm trick) placed at each level.
Fb
where: 6th stage. Consolidation of walls with cracks or fissures,
by fitting gibs Ø6 – Ø8 mm on the channel of fissures and
2σ injecting them with epoxy resins SIKA REPAIR.
S cap = A ⋅ τ ⋅ 1 + 0 (6)
z k 3τ
k After the structure consolidation by performing the
reinforced concrete, each of the five columns of
N reinforced concrete placed on the affected outline section
σ0 = (7) are characterized by the capacity efforts:
Azx + Azy
• Flexural Moment Capacity: Mcap= 34.34 kNm;
where: Scap- seismic shear force capacity;
Fb - conventional seismic load (seismic base • Shear Force Capacity: Tcap = 21.73 kN.
shear force)
A zx = 9.23 m2 - area of the masonry on Were obtained on both directions x, and y, the shear
direction x; force capacity:
Azy = 5.76 m2 - area of the masonry on cons
S = 524.50 + 5 ⋅ 21.73 = 633.15kN (8)
direction y; cap , y
τk = 0.04 N/mm2 -major damages, reduction
cons
25-30%; S = 840.5 + 5 ⋅ 21.73 = 905.7 kN (9)
σ0 = 0.251 N/mm2- unitary axial stress;
cap , x
N = 3778 kN - total axial load. where:
cons
S - seismic shear force capacity on direction
The indicator values on both directions resulted R3y = cap , y
0.612 and R3x = 0.98, therefore the analyzed section y for the consolidated structure;
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cons
Bob C, 2001a, ”Rehabilitation of Existing Structures in Seismic
S - seismic shear force capacity on Zones”, Progress in Structural Engineering and Materials,
cap , x
Vol.3, No.4.
direction x for the consolidated structure.
Bob C, Dan S, 2003, ”Analysis, Redesign and Rehabilitation of
It was verified the resistance capacity for the entire Reinforced Concrete Framed Structures in Seismic Regions”,
ensemble of the consolidated section B1-3 and E1-3 fib-Symposium: Concrete Structures in Seismic Regions,
on both directions, where were obtained the indicator Athens.
values of the level of seismic structural safety R3y =
Bob C, Dan S, Badea C, Gruin A., 2005, ”Rehabilitation of an
0.74 and R3x = 1.06. The consolidated building is
Architectural Monumental Building at Timisoreana Brewery”
framed from the point of view of the seismic structural Zilele Academice Timişene, Ediţia a IX-a, Ed. Mirton.
safety in the RSIII risk seismic class.
Dan S, Bob C, Badea C, 2006, ”Assessment and Strengthening
of Existing RC Framed Structures” Extras din Buletinul
6. CONCLUSIONS Institutului Politehnic din Iaşi , Fasc. 1-2.
By cutting and uprooting the two trees near the Das A, Roy S., 2014, ”Effect of Expansive Soil on Foundation
building, is eliminated one of the most important and Its Remedies”, National Conference on Emerging
factor which produces the ground drying, by the effect Technology and Applied Sciences , West Bengal, India -
NCETAS.
of dewatering produced by trees.
ElGawady M, Lestuzzi P, Badoux M., 2003, ”Rehabilitation of
The soil injection aims to fill the ground voids, Unreinforced Brick Masonry Walls Using Composites”, Swiss
creating a mixture from the injected solution and soil Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne EPFL.
particles, which by strengthening leads to a mass of
stabilized soil. A really good improvement for the Ito M, Azam S., 2010. ”Determination of swelling and
foundation soil will be achieved, characterized by an Shrinkage properties of undisturbed expansive soils”, Geotech
increase of the bearing capacity of the soil, as well as Geol Eng, pp 413-422.
by a decrease of deforming capacity by performing
Kiss Z., Oneţ T., 2010, Proiectarea structurilor din beton după
144 points of injections made of a suspension of
SR EN 1992-1 (Design of concrete structures according to SR
cement - bentonite. EN 1992-1), Ed.Abel Cluj Napoca.
The reinforced concrete frames are designed to Lourenço P.B, Oliveira D.V,, 2015, ”Improving the seismic
stabilize the entire ensemble of the building. On the resistance of masonry buildings: Concepts for cultural heritage
other hand, by connecting them to the existing and recent developments in structural analysis”, Department of
structure by the means of flat girdles and by Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimaraes.
consolidating the building walls, by fitting gibs Ø6 –
Ø8 mm on the route of fissures and injecting them Pleşu R, Ţăranu G, Covatariu D, Grădinariu I., 2011,
”Strengthening and rehabilitation conventional methods for
with epoxy resins SIKA REPAIR, the percentage of masonry structures” Buletinul Institutului Politehnic din Iasi.
vertical and horizontal damaged surfaces will decrease
considerably. The values of the indicators R1 and R2 Popa A , Ilies N, 2012, Consolidarea fundaţiilor (Consolidation
will be sensitively improved, following to include the of fundations), Ed. UT Press, Cluj Napoca.
construction into another seismic risk class.
Roman F, 2010, Aplicaţii de inginerie Geotehnică
As last and most important conclusion, the (Geotechnical Engineering Applications) - Ed. Papyrus Print
consolidated structure fits in seismic risk class RS III Cluj Napoca.
"Constructions at which are expected structural
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expansive clays”, 2nd international conference on new
Bally, R.J., Klein, R., 1985, Injectarea pământurilor (Soils developments in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering,
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* * * P100-1/2013 ”Cod de proiectare seismică - Partea I -
Prevederi de proiectare pentru clădiri ” (Seismic Design
Code- Part I - Design provisions for buildings).
* * * NE 001-1996 ”Cod de proiectare şi execuţie pentru
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mari (PUCM)” (Design and execution Code for construction
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* * * NP 126-2010 ”Normativ privind fundarea
construcţiilor pe terenuri cu umflări şi contracţii mari”
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* * * EN 1993-1-1:2006. Eurocode 3: Design of steel
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