Course detail

Defects and Failures of Buildings

ÚSI-ERVAPAcad. year: 2025/2026

The subject is aimed at the overview of defects and breakdowns of buildings and perfection of education allowing their identification and solution. Causes of failures, defects and breakdowns on different structures. Options for decreasing number of defects. Means of connection of old and new concrete with brickwork and wood including calculations. Improvement of service life of objects. Solution of breakdowns - fires, explosions, etc. Court litigations. Strengthening of all main bearing parts - calculation, implementation, the newest means of reliability improvement - bonding with steel elements, lamellae CFK, textiles, HELIFIX, fastening, etc. Remedy of defects on waterproof constructions. Modifications of working and contraction joints. Influence of aggressive environment. Demolition of structures. Recycling of concrete and brickwork. Removal of supporting pillars. New floors under current structures. Examples of reconstruction of foundations, ceilings, roofs, industrial, engineering, community and water structures. Strengthening of brickwork. Excursions, movies, participation in experimental research. Technology of construction and reconstruction of concrete bridge structures - substructure and foundation engineering, substructures. Basic principles of design and structural design.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Institute of Concrete and Masonry Structures (BZK)

Entry knowledge

Not requested

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Attendance in seminars, successful elaboration of one written test and elaboration of semestral work are conditions for gaining the credit. Exam is written and oral.
Not applicable.

Aims

Goal of this subject is to gain knowledge for consolidation of building in safe conditions including suggestion of arrangements leading to removal of defects and breakdowns of buildings.
Students gain knowledge with dominant effect on quality and longevity of basic frame structures (concrete, brick, mixed) in stage of projection, building construction and building maintenance. Students will be acquainted with methods of maintenance and strengthening of frame structures.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Bažant, Z., Klusáček, L.: Statika při rekonstrukcích objektů, Brno 2006, ISBN: 978-80-7204-692-8 (CS)
Witzany, J. a kol.: PDR – poruchy, degradace a rekonstrukce, Praha 2010, ISBN: 978-80-01-04488-9 (CS)

Recommended reading

DAMSTRUC (2005, 2002, 2000) Brazílie, Sborníky mezinárodních konferencí (EN)
Drochytka, J., Emmons, P.H., Jeřábek, Z.: Sanace a údržba betonu v ilustracích, Brno 1999, ISBN 80-7204-106-1 (CS)
REKONSTRUKCE STAVEB, ERA, 2006 (CS)
SANACE, mezinárodní konference Brno, 1996 - 2006 (CS)
Vady a poruchy staveb, Dasshofer Verlag, 2003 - 2006 (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme REI_P Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme RRTES_P Master's

    specialization RRTS , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Defects andbreakdowns, their division.
2. Causes of defects and breakdowns on different objects.
3. Options for decreasing number of breakdowns.
4. Objects’ service life lengthening. Solution of defects and breakdown cases - fire, explosion, etc.
5. Strengthening of all main bearing parts, calculation, implementation, the newest means of reliability increase.
6. Strengthening of all main bearing parts, calculation, implementation, the newest means of reliability increase – follow-up
7. Strengthening of all main bearing parts, calculation, implementation, the newest means of reliability increase. – follow-up
8. Examples of defects and breakdowns – their repairs.
9. Examples of substructure reconstruction.
10. Examples of ceiling and roof reconstruction.
11. Examples of reconstruction of industrial and engineering buildings.
12. Examples of reconstruction of community and water buildings.
13. Strengthening of brickwork.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer