Building Better: INRTU’s Impact on Seismic and Space Improvements
Aleksandr Petunin, a senior lecturer of INRTU Department of Construction Operations, under the guidance of Associate Professor Aleksandr Petrov, is researching type 335 large-panel houses. The INRTU experts offer constructive solutions to increase the seismic resistance of buildings, improve the thermal performance of building envelopes, and increase living space. This initiative is implemented under the Priority 2030 program.
Regarding the relevance of the research topic, Aleksandr Petunin noted that the standard projects of type 1-335 houses of various modifications were developed by LenZNIIEP engineers for regions with seven or eight points seismicity. They were used in the construction of Irkutsk in 1960-1976. About 500 houses of this type are in use in the regional center. Sayansk, Zima, Usolie-Sibirskoye, Shelekhov, and Angarsk have a significant share of the housing stock.
In practice, INRTU specialists have successfully tested technologies for restoring the operational reliability of wall panels using modified lightweight concrete. A method known as "torquetting" improves the structural integrity of gas-ash concrete panels by incorporating a ventilated facade system.
"Numerical modeling of various spatial and structural solutions for the 1-335 buildings was carried out under conditions ensuring acceptable seismic vulnerability. The calculations show that the buildings can be supplemented with bay windows and the construction of an attic floor is feasible," Aleksandr Petunin said.Type 335 structures that have been in operation for over 45-60 years without repair and protection measures and have mass typical failures. Local defects and damage to the aerated concrete of the outdoor wall panels (window and door openings, assembly and intersection joints) occur due to frost degradation centers in condensation accumulation zones. The problem is the continuous delamination of outdoor wall panels facing north-west, exposed to intensive rainfall, threatening their sudden collapse.
"The proposed reconstruction options allow us to achieve the required seismic resistance of buildings while increasing comfort by expanding living space. The addition of attic floors and bay windows can impart architectural expressiveness to Soviet-era structures," added Aleksandr Petunin.
