Abstract
Kościuszko Mound in Cracow is earthen structure particularly susceptible to deformations, among other things, due to the unfavourable physical and mechanical properties of the ground and a significant tilt of slopes. Since the beginning of its existence to the present day, structural failures were repeatedly occurred, and the biggest took place after 1997, when heavy rains led to the greatest destruction of the entire mound solid ever. Overall renovation, however, did not produced the expected results and did not stop negative atmospheric influences on the monument behaviour. Therefore, in 2012, structural health mo nitoring was installed on-site, providing remote, continuous and automatic measurements of selected physical quantities, which are important from mound technical condition point of view. System is measuring, among other things, changes in vertical displacements, circumferential and radial deformations, ground pore pressure of water within a mound body and humidity of its surface layers. Correlation of results from geodetic, inclinometer and meteorological (derived from the weather station which is part of the monitoring system) measurements will enable a comprehensive assessment of ground layer work mechanisms within the whole mound solid and will be one of the bases for effective strengthening design in the future.
Highlights
Kosciuszko Mound in Cracow is a unique geotechnical structure, because of its geometry and material, and for historical and tourist aspects
The object under the assumption of builders was meant to be a symbol of durability, which cannot be destroyed neither by enemies nor time. Both the construction method and the building material used for this purpose have caused the structure to be susceptible to atmospheric influences
Under the influence of hydrostatic pressure, the particles of soil move and organize, which has resulted in the past and result today in significant deformations of the mound body
Summary
Kosciuszko Mound in Cracow is a unique geotechnical structure, because of its geometry and material, and for historical and tourist aspects. The object under the assumption of builders was meant to be a symbol of durability, which cannot be destroyed neither by enemies nor time Both the construction method and the building material used for this purpose have caused the structure to be susceptible to atmospheric influences. Under the influence of hydrostatic pressure, the particles of soil move and organize, which has resulted in the past and result today in significant deformations of the mound body Another important thing is steep slope, which exceeds (in some places more than twice) the angle of internal friction of such kind of grounds. This fact makes the Kościuszko Mound in Krakow a unique geotechnical structure worldwide. The shape of the limestone ceiling (inclination to the east) located in the immediate subsoil of the building, and the geometry of the surrounding brick wall (tholobate), which is lower at the eastern side, are significant for main directions of ground displacements
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