Estudio patológico Edificio Apolo Multifamiliar en la Ciudad de Cartagena - Colombia

Abstract

The project under study corresponds to a four-story building with a basement named EDIFICIO APOLO, located in the city of Cartagena. The decision was made to conduct this pathological study entitled “FAILURES IN COLUMNS DUE TO MECHANICAL, PHYSICAL, AND CHEMICAL ACTIONS.” For this purpose, a visual inspection of the area was carried out to identify the types of damage, determine the necessary tests, and establish the causes. The faults present in the columns correspond to coating detachment, cracks, moisture, paint peeling, corroded steel, and poor steel coating. To study these symptoms, a survey of the area was conducted, along with records and photographs. To determine the causes of these pathologies, the following tests were performed: sclerometry; core extraction, obtaining average results of 210 kg/cm2, carbonation front with values between 3 cm and 3.5 cm; steel quantities were determined by ferroscan. The main pathology causing these damages is the action of these aggressive environments with high sulfate content, which not only produce degradation through expansion and cracking, but also a reduction in mechanical strength due to the loss of cohesion of the cement paste. By conducting this study, we learned to identify the types of mechanical, physical, and chemical failures present in columns depending on the behavior of the cracks, their trajectory, and all the pathologies derived from the environment in which the building is located, such as variations in its mass, permeability, porosity, and carbonation front. As alternative solutions, considering their economic value, we propose demolishing the covering, expanding the column cross-section to obtain greater coverage in accordance with NSR-10 regulations, using low-permeability concrete, epoxy products to ensure adhesion between materials, and replacing the reinforcing steel. This solution must be implemented quickly, as the columns may continue to deteriorate over time and possibly collapse. In conclusion to this study, we can say that we applied our knowledge acquired in the specialization through which we were able to identify that the main cause of the origin of these cracks is the failure of the column due to axial load, in addition to the presence of humidity in the area due to the increase in the water table in the area, giving rise to other associated pathologies described above.Keywords: Failures in Columns Due to Mechanical, Physical, and Chemical Actions.