Biggs, David1
1 Principal, Biggs Consulting Engineering, 26F Congress St, #305, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA, biggsconsulting@att.net
ABSTRACT
Building movement or structural distress may sometimes cause settlement and cracking of a masonry building. The Owner and Engineer are then left to a) stabilize it in its deflected
condition, b) lift the structure back into position and then stabilize it, or c) demolish the structure. This paper will discuss the issues associated with jacking (lifting) and shoring to stabilize a masonry structure. General concepts will be discussed along with case studies including that of a four-story brick building constructed c.1876. Portions of the load bearing brick building were constructed with timber framing at the ground floor to create interior commercial space and to support exterior openings. By the 1970s, timber deterioration had caused portions of the brick
walls to deflect 75-100 mm (3-4 inches). Several owners from the 1970s to current were dissuaded from restoring the building due to the deteriorated condition and potential costs to repair. A recent restoration included jacking portions of the masonry walls and stabilizing the supporting framing.
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