Improving performance of buildings subjected to mining deformation

For reasons of economy and energy, coal mining is an important branch of the Polish economy. Unfortunately, underground mining causes deformations on the land surface, which directly affect the buildings located there.For existing buildings to be safely used, special strengthening and means of protection against mining impacts need to be introduced and applied. Paper presents part of wide in situ investigations of such a buildings. In the area where there was mining exploitation for many years, hundreds of single-family housing as well as outbuildings and some public buildings were subjected to inspection. The main aims of such a technical survey were to determine the real technical conditions of the buildings, to identify failures and damages and to evaluate effectiveness of structural elements strengthening.Detailed results of the investigations are presented in the paper. Analyses carried out show that most efficient strengthening of existing buildings for mining subsoil deformations should include special strengthening of concrete foundations.