{"id":1965,"date":"2025-11-06T14:52:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T13:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/projekt\/condition-assessment-and-evaluation-of-masonry-chimney-in-norrkoping\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T11:34:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T09:34:54","slug":"condition-assessment-and-evaluation-of-masonry-chimney-in-norrkoping","status":"publish","type":"projekt","link":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/projekt\/condition-assessment-and-evaluation-of-masonry-chimney-in-norrkoping\/","title":{"rendered":"Condition assessment and evaluation of masonry chimney in Norrk\u00f6ping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Problem<\/strong><br\/>The approximately 36 meter high masonry chimney in Norrk\u00f6ping, built around 1900 as part of the Norrk\u00f6ping cotton mill, showed extensive damage. Among the problems noted were cracks in the concrete slab at the base, horizontal and diagonal cracks in the mortar joints near the top, brick spalling, discoloration, and missing steel ring joints. The damage was also exacerbated by vegetation and moisture. There was a risk of falling bricks and thus a danger to the surroundings. The aim of the project was to assess the structural status of the chimney, identify the causes of the damage and propose measures to ensure long-term stability and safety.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chimney in Norrk\u00f6ping\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1134153398?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><br\/>The investigation showed that the upper seven meters of the chimney were the most damaged, with large horizontal cracks caused by sulphate attack on the mortar. This led to volume increase, uplift and rotation of the chimney head. The concrete slab at the base had severe cracks due to lack of reinforcement, allowing water ingress. Vegetation around the structure contributed to further deterioration of the mortar. Two of the eleven steel rings were missing, while the others showed superficial corrosion. Calculations and FE modeling showed that the structure is partially at the ultimate limit state but not at immediate risk of collapse. Recommended actions were the removal of the concrete slab at the base, reconstruction of the upper part of the chimney, removal of vegetation and cleaning, protection and completion of steel ring joints. In addition, the importance of using compatible sealants for repairs was emphasized.       <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-09e294af\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-09e294af\" src=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorstensfunament-med-sprickor-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f681fe1e gb-headline-text\"><em>The concrete slab at the base had serious cracks due to lack of reinforcement.<\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-6c8e07e8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-6c8e07e8\" src=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Skorsten-med-pa\u030ava\u0308xt_Invator\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Skorsten-med-pavaxt_Invator-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-da78a7b5 gb-headline-text\"><em>Vegetation around the structure contributed to the deterioration of the mortar.<\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Solution<\/strong><br\/>The condition assessment was carried out with the following steps:  <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Visual inspection<\/strong> from ground level and with boom lift to document cracks and surface damage.<br\/><strong>Drone survey<\/strong> to create a 3D model and analyze slope and damage along the height.<br\/><strong>Non-destructive testing <\/strong>with GPR (wall thickness and reinforcement), Ultrasonic Pulse Echo (MIRA) for voids, videoscope for internal inspection and boom knocking to detect delamination<br\/><strong>Destructive testing<\/strong> via foundation excavation and core drilling to analyze concrete and masonry.<br\/><strong>Analytical calculations and FEM modelling<\/strong> to assess load bearing capacity, stability and natural frequencies.<\/p>\n\n<p>The method provided an overall picture of the condition of the chimney and allowed an informed analysis of both material and structural aspects.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-9e25a16c\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-9e25a16c\" src=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.invator.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Visuell-inspektion-sprickor_Invator-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-7ad3c91d gb-headline-text\"><em>Invators&#8217; efforts provided an overall picture of the chimney&#8217;s condition and enabled an informed analysis of both material and structural aspects.<\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drone (DJI Mavic Pro 2) with photogrammetry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georadar (Proceq GPR)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ultrasonic Pulse Echo (MIRA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Videoscope<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hammer for boom tapping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mini excavator for excavation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Core drilling equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visual inspection and documentation equipment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Standards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EN 1990: Eurocode &#8211; Basic design rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EN 1991-1-1: Eurocode 1 &#8211; General loads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EN 1991-1-4: Eurocode 1 &#8211; Wind load<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EN 1992-1-1: Eurocode 2 &#8211; Concrete structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EN 1996-1-1: Eurocode 6 &#8211; Masonry structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BFS 2019:1 EKS 11 &#8211; National Board of Housing, Building and Planning regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISO 16311-1\/2 &#8211; Condition assessment of concrete structures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the over 100-year-old chimney at Norrk\u00f6ping&#8217;s cotton mill showed signs of serious damage, Invator was called in. Using drone-based 3D modeling, ultrasound and FEM analysis, the team mapped the cracks and corrosion and developed a plan to preserve and secure the structure for the future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1646,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"bransch":[23],"class_list":["post-1965","projekt","type-projekt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","bransch-industry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projekt\/1965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projekt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/projekt"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bransch","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.invator.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bransch?post=1965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}