Structural Evaluation Of A Building In The Historic Center Of Havana

Abstract

The conservation work on the historical heritage of the city of Havana includes engineering activities aimed at maintaining buildings in optimal condition. The structures that make up the historic complex of Old Havana present structural damage due to the physical degradation of materials and changes in the use of the buildings, among other reasons. When a change in a building's use is required, it is essential to evaluate its technical condition and calculate its load-bearing capacity. The structural evaluation process involves consulting the original blueprints, a visual inspection of the structure, identifying the materials used, and applying current regulations related to design and structural safety. Currently, the reuse of existing buildings has gained relevance as a common practice, driven by the need to optimize resources, reduce costs, and minimize the environmental impact associated with the construction of new structures. However, these actions require considering technical and structural aspects that must be evaluated to guarantee the building's safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance. The objective of this work is the evaluation of the technical condition of a public building in the historic core of Old Havana and the determination of its load-bearing capacity. The final result is the structure's response in terms of displacements, internal forces, and the demand/capacity ratio of the structural elements. Finally, a ruling is made on the possibility of increasing the loads on the property.