Design errors of the external lift shaft and their negative impact on the operation of the clinic building

Abstract

Three-story external lift shaft was added to the gable wall of the existing clinic building. The shaft was designed as an independent static system, not connected to the building structure. After three years of operation, an increase in the width of the expansion joints between the building‘s top wall and the shaft at its entire height was found. The defects most likely can be addressed to subsidence of land accompanied by changes in the level of groundwater within the foundations of the building. In this paper, we proposed a solution to repair the defect and restore the proper technical condition allowing for its continued safe use.