During the demolition of complex industrial structures, temporary conditions may arise that generate loading scenarios significantly different from those considered in the original design. In this project, INCIMAT carried out a dedicated structural assessment of an industrial chimney undergoing demolition, analyzing the behavior of the remaining section of the structure under the progressive accumulation of demolition debris within its interior.
The uniqueness of the study lay in the fact that the chimney shaft, originally designed to function as a vertical flue gas exhaust structure, temporarily became a containment element subjected to internal pressures generated by the debris accumulated during demolition activities. This situation required a specific evaluation of the induced circumferential stresses and the actual load-bearing capacity of the existing structure.
To address this challenge, an advanced finite element model was developed to represent the global behavior of the chimney shaft. Different filling scenarios were analyzed, evaluating the evolution of stresses and deformations as demolition activities progressed. The assessment considered the geometric characteristics of the structure, the condition of the existing materials, and the contribution of the embedded reinforcement within the reinforced concrete shell.
Based on the results obtained, structural assessment criteria were established and a temporary strengthening solution was developed to ensure the stability of the structure throughout the remaining demolition phases. The proposed solution incorporated an external confinement system consisting of a reinforced structural jacket designed to resist the circumferential forces generated by the internal debris pressures.
This type of project demonstrates INCIMAT’s capability to address complex structural engineering challenges associated with demolition processes, rehabilitation works, and the assessment of existing structures, combining technical inspections, advanced numerical modeling, and the design of practical solutions adapted to real construction site conditions.