Secular deformations of the sand ground of Golgotha Mount on the Anzer Island of the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea

Sergei Chernyshev,Nikolay Chernyshev,Andrew Lavrusevich,Irina Evgrafova,D Rudoy,V Murgul

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201913501039

Sergei Chernyshev, Nikolay Chernyshev + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201913501039

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Abstract

Very slow secular horizontal movement of ground is commonly not taken into consideration during construction of buildings near slopes and bents with no risks of landslide. However, our observations indicate that a range of objects is marked with such movement. Current study is aimed at determining the rate of the sand ground dislocations near the ultimately steep slope. In order to determine the rate, we conducted periodical measurements of the width of the tensile fractures in the loadbearing walls of the building constructed in 1830. Building of the object and its restoration in the current century have led to the imperfect structure of the building, lacking steel ties in the brick walls, which should have been installed at different levels, specifically under the floor and at the level of the vault abutment. The absence of ties has resulted in rupturing of the examined building due to tensioning of the moving foundation. The errors of the constructors have transformed this building into an object that can be used to determine the rate of ground movement.It is not a unique case, as this small velocity is often neglected, which, however, results into the wall fracturing in the course of long-term use.

Highlights

It is generally accepted in engineering geology and geotechnics that sand ground does not undergo plastic deformation at the slopes, long-term observations allow the researchers to detect steady horizontal movement under load
Our studies on deformation of the natural sand soil massif were conducted at Golgotha Mount, located on one of the islands in the White Sea and called after the famous mount in Jerusalem [1]
Periodical measurements of the width of fractures, assessment of their expansion is the approach to determining the rate of secular deformation of the sand ground under the building

Summary

Introduction

It is generally accepted in engineering geology and geotechnics that sand ground does not undergo plastic deformation at the slopes, long-term observations allow the researchers to detect steady horizontal movement under load. Periodical measurements of the width of fractures, assessment of their expansion is the approach to determining the rate of secular deformation of the sand ground under the building. The contour lines of the mount are elliptical, with the major axes going from west to east These features provided an opportunity to build a ship-like church (figure 1) with a chancel apse, a quadrangular frame, a bell tower, and the auxiliary buildings with the cells. The groundwater lens, located in the sands, was nourished with the water all over the surface of the top of Golgotha Mount and the roof drainage of the wooden church. In 2000, before the beginning of restoration, we did not observe any signs of perched groundwater under the church foundation, the client had set a task of finding subsurface water on the top of the mount

The results of observations on the expansion of the fractures in the building

Conclusion