Specific features of engineering and geological conditions in the design of bases and foundations in Norilsk and Murmansk

Introduction. The Norilsk renovation program envisages comprehensive changes to the urban environment and engineering infrastructure in the coming years, including the construction of new residential buildings, kindergartens, schools, clinics, as well as the restoration of buildings of historical value. The City of Murmansk also plans to construct over 400,000 square meters of housing, kindergartens, and related infrastructure in the near future.

Aim. To summarize technical solutions used for bases and foundations in residential buildings in Norilsk and Murmansk, to consider all complicating factors related to geotechnical design, and to review recommendations on the most appropriate technical solutions for new residential buildings in these cities.

Materials and methods. The experience in constructing residential buildings in Norilsk and Murmansk is examined using literary and archival data, as well as information from other open sources in the media on the Internet. Data on emergency situations in residential buildings is provided, and conclusions are drawn about their causes related to bases and foundations.

Results. Summary recommendations for adopting optimal technical solutions for bases and foundations when designing residential buildings in Norilsk and Murmansk are provided from the experience of JSC Research Center of Construction.

Conclusions. For sustainability and reliable operation of residential buildings in Norilsk and Murmansk, all technical decisions regarding foundations and methods of preparing bases should consider the long-term experience of design and construction in these regions thus being supported by reliable data from engineering and geological surveys. Furthermore, calculations of the mechanical and thermal interactions of buildings with foundation soils in accordance with the requirements of current regulatory documents should be used.

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