Weighted average as a basis for determining the reliable tilt of a multi-segment building undergoing rectification

Mining exploitation of hard coal occurs in the Silesian region of Poland, resulting in the formation of post-mining voids that cause uneven lowering of the ground level. Consequently, thousands of buildings are tilted from vertical. The tilt of a structure is most often considered a phenomenon that changes the technical properties of buildings, reducing their comfort of use and decreasing the value of the real estate. Tilting induces structural damage in wall-bearing systems. Furthermore, this tilt complicates the use of buildings, reduces their value, and in extreme situations leads to exceeded limit states. Therefore, such buildings are rectified through non-uniform elevating by means of hydraulic piston jacks built into the walls of buildings. Based on the analyzed rectification processes, a method for determining the relia-ble tilt of a multi-segment building has been proposed. It is important to note that the tilt of individual elements within the segments, as well as the tilt of the segments themselves, can differ significantly. This analysis demonstrates that the reliable tilt of a multi-segment building should be calculated as a weighted average. The values of the weights can result from the plan area of the segments, the volume of the segments, or their significance in terms of the functioning of the building. In the case of the five-segment school building analyzed in this article, three reliable tilts were determined due to the position of the expansion joints and the functional solutions. One reliable tilt as a weighted average was determined for the three segments. The rectification of the other two segments was carried out separately, based on the reliable tilt deter-mined independently for these segments.