Defects of the building and its remediation – Case study: Elementary school Vodňany

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to provide information on the defects in the construction of the elementary school in Vodňany. The building of the elementary school dates back to 1973. It is a reinforced concrete columns skeleton with a filling peripheral and internal dividing brick masonry. The object is used by the primary school and is permanently used and maintained. The extent of structural damage is stabilized in the current state and is not an immediate risk to the user of the object. It concerns only non-load-bearing structures (floor and partitions), the vertical load-bearing structures do not show a decrease and therefore the stability of the whole building is not compromised. However, actual damage complicates operation of elementary school and is very non-aesthetic. Concurrent damage to structures is the result of vertical deformation of the foundation soil. Vertical deformation of the foundation soil - sediment is the result of the building construction on a former creek which was not properly excavated and covered with a suitable backfill. Subsidence further strengthens imperfect drained rainwater from the roof of the building and leakage of rainwater drains.