September 15, 2022
Sifting through remains and examination
In the previous article, we shared our memories of what exactly happened during the first hours after the rocket attack on our houses in Kyiv, where people were taken out, how we found out who was staying inside the residential complex, etc. In this part, we will talk about the first days after the impact and the next steps to rebuild the houses. This is a difficult experience, but it is important to share it, because there is a certain algorithm of actions, and we would like everyone to be able to act effectively if necessary.
So, the first arrival hit the seventh house of Lvivskyi Kvartal RC on April 28. We were allowed in after the first responders and special services had worked at the object, inspecting the house and removing the remains of the rocket. It was April 30. Our employees arrived at the facility together with a contractor who was already engaged in strengthening the structures of the Retroville shopping centre, and immediately, based on their own experience, announced options for possible strengthening of the building. Then the chief engineer, general designer and the architects arrived, and together with the contractor, they promptly drew up a scheme for strengthening the building's structures so that it would not sag and fall. The next day, the builders started their work.
We restored the foundation waterproofing, sifted through remains, installed temporary reinforcement of columns and pylons, and also mounted metal frames and supports for certain horizontal elements.
At the same time, communication with the residents of the building took place: we assured them that RIEL would not leave them alone with their troubles, we would provide them with assistance.
The next stage was execution of an examination. We ordered:
- Preliminary inspection of a residential building with general recommendations regarding top priority emergency works.
This was performed by State Enterprise "Research institute of building production between May 12-23, six experts worked on the report.
- We got a similar report from the private company "Energo Engineering" LLC.
Actually, to compare these findings, one examination would be enough, but we wanted to make sure of absolute correctness.
- Instrumental survey of some of the load-bearing structures
It is an in-depth study that determines what is happening inside the concrete. After all, it looks normal and whole from the outside, and an instrumental examination makes it possible to see if there are any internal cracks, detachment of concrete from the reinforcement, whether there is loss of monolith reinforcement quality, etc. Before that, we dismantled everything that was clearly damaged and examined the parts the possibility of restoring which seemed doubtful. And if we had not ordered an instrumental study on May 12, the city would have ordered such a service only now due to certain bureaucratic procedures. So we already had all the conclusions at the end of June.
- The project of anti-emergency works for the restoration of individual structures and on top of that a separate section of the project, "Work order project" (WOP), for the dismantling of emergency structures, have been completed.
The instrumental survey showed what exactly needs to be dismantled; then the WOP gives us clear instructions on how and in what way has to be dismantled and why; where to strengthen, where to support the building, where temporary structures are required, where and what kind of the loads are expected, etc.
- Geodetic monitoring of subsidence and Geodetic monitoring of building tilt.
These examinations show whether the house has tilted or not, where exactly, at what points the deformation of the monolith took place, and what to do with it next. That is, weak points are identified. This is about project work.
All examinations are mandatory for further construction. If they are not fulfilled, it is impossible to start restoration. This is a mandatory algorithm of actions to start the house restoration.
In general, after the rocket arrival into the seventh house, we spent approximately 1.8 million of our company's own funds on design, installation and emergency work, which, in fact, should have been financed with a delay of 3-4 months from the reserve fund or from other sources of government financing. We have undergone a lot of procedures that the city would begin to implement in just 3-4 months. This is not the company's responsibility, as the facility is commissioned, handed over to the residents and the developer has no more obligations there. It was his own initiative. However, we know that we could act no otherwise leaving our residents to fend for themselves.
As for the third house, the situation is both similar and dissimilar here.
The arrival happened in late June. After the attack on the seventh house, we already knew how to act. All materials and project documentation were quickly collected, we contacted the designers and the work began. The first document we ordered and received is "Variable calculations of presumed bearing capacity of a building foundation". We needed to understand what had happened to the building in general and how it was affected: was the structure affected from top to bottom all the way to the foundation or only the upper floors were affected. There was no loading or deformation of the foundations, so we came to the conclusion that only the upper floors were to be dismantled. Next, we ordered an instrumental survey of a part of the load-bearing structures, as well as a "Work order project" for dismantling work, the above-mentioned WOP. Meanwhile, we reached the local self-government authorities - Kyiv City State Administration and Shevchenkivskyi District Administration.
All the received documentation was handed over to the customer so that they could further carry out the necessary houses restoration procedures.
In the end, it was due to our own initiative that we took our time from the moment of arrival as efficiently as possible.
This is, in our opinion, the true responsibility of business, which we urge others to. After all, today we are united by one misfortune and one common goal – the Victory.
