World heritage in odd shoes : Reconstruction of the central building of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Abstract

The Central Building of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is one of the largest works of eclectic architecture in Hungary, and it is a major component of the panoramic view of the Buda side, a part of the World Heritage. The imposing building of great length along the Danube was partly built on the embankment of the original riverbed. The foundations of some load-bearing walls suffered gradual settlement in the nearly one hundred years since construction. A considerable difference in settlement of foundations was produced, which endangered the serviceability and stability of the building. Construction work was to be done with minimum disturbance of the education. In 2001 and 2002 the 1 st stage of foundation reinforcement was completed. It involved stopping the foundation settlement at the southern wing by jet-grouting (jet-mix) procedure and constructing reinforced counter-slabs between longitudinal load-bearing walls. The recoverable sections of concrete foundations were encased by the shot Torkret method, and ventilation shafts were built to prevent underground sections of load-bearing walls from wetting. Undersized and cracked load-bearing walls received reinforced concrete encasement, cracked vaults and arches were also reinforced. Following the static reinforcement, the concerned building parts were renovated. The reinforcing work was designed by teachers of the University.