Analysis of stabilisation method of gable walls of a barrack located at the section BI of the former KL Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Abstract

The subject of the article is an analysis of the stabilisation method of the western gable walls of a barrack with the inventory number B-123, situated at the section BI of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The barracks of the former Birkenau have a documentary and historical value and are subject to protective conservation. A barrack with inv. no. B-123 had been erected in the last months of 1941 as a residential barrack, then it was used as a hospital facility. The barrack walls are characterised by low stiffness, because with the building’s plan of 36.17 m  11.39 m, the walls are only 0.12 m thick. Gable walls have been greatly deformed, as a result they have detached from longitudinal walls and their deflection is up to 120 mm. The construction of the walls is at risk, because a bad-quality wall is loaded with horizontal and vertical forces transmitted from the roof, on the eccentricity reaching 120 mm. Deformations are progressing as a consequence of such forces and the walls must be stabilised. In case of the western wall, it was decided to stop its further deformation and to increase the local carrying capacity by stabilising with steel elements connected with ties anchored in the ground. Given the historical value of the plasters with paint coats layers covering the wall, it was decided not to remove the wall deformation mechanically. For the eastern wall, which is not covered with plaster and was partly reconstructed after the war, the removal of its deflection by rectification was designed.

Analysis of causes of damage to masonry walls in the historic barrack No. B-115 in the former KL Auschwitz II – Birkenau camp

“…The concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was functioning in the years 1940-1945 [1] Construction of the Birkenau camp began with some haste in the autumn of 1941.The buildings at section BI were erected in poor atmospheric conditions and the construction material was taken from dismantling houses of nearby villages [2,3]. During the time of the camp functioning in the sector BI, which was divided in addition into BIa and BIb, there were more than 80 buildings.…”

Analysis of deflections of reinforced concrete slab in the rectified water-storage tank

“…Deflected constructions are usually stabilized by reinforcing their foundation with piles [12]. The deflected single elements of the structure are stabilised in a new position [13]. In particular situations, structural elements [14] or whole constructions [15] are rectified.…”

Computing the value of uneven raising of building consisting of nine segments deflected from vertical due to mining exploitation

“…Leaning objects are most often stabilized by strengthening the foundations with steel piles [18] or reinforced concrete piles [19], or by strengthening the soil [4]. In the case of tilted individual structural elements, they are stabilized in a new position [20]. In special cases, building elements [21][22] or entire buildings [23][24] are rectified.…”