Secular deformations of the sand ground of Golgotha Mount on the Anzer Island of the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea

Abstract

Very slow secular horizontal movement of ground is commonly not taken into consideration during construction of buildings near slopes and bents with no risks of landslide. However, our observations indicate that a range of objects is marked with such movement. Current study is aimed at determining the rate of the sand ground dislocations near the ultimately steep slope. In order to determine the rate, we conducted periodical measurements of the width of the tensile fractures in the loadbearing walls of the building constructed in 1830. Building of the object and its restoration in the current century have led to the imperfect structure of the building, lacking steel ties in the brick walls, which should have been installed at different levels, specifically under the floor and at the level of the vault abutment. The absence of ties has resulted in rupturing of the examined building due to tensioning of the moving foundation. The errors of the constructors have transformed this building into an object that can be used to determine the rate of ground movement.It is not a unique case, as this small velocity is often neglected, which, however, results into the wall fracturing in the course of long-term use.