Croatia - Structural engineer requires 23cm casting against existing interior wall

[paralun]

Ask someone else?
Hey, we Swedes here on Byggahus can handle this, okay? Earthquake? We're fully aware of it. If the Croats need a consultant, they can just start a thread here on Byggahus or send a PM.

Sure, there is probably someone who knows what applies even for active earthquake zones.
Or should you always build according to your own ideas and disregard the regulations.

But seriously, most countries within active earthquake zones have thought through their building regulations, and in Croatia specifically, the risk of major earthquakes is lower.

 

[Farstatjej90]

Surely there is someone who knows what applies even for active earthquake zones.
Or should one always build according to one's own ideas and disregard the rules?

But seriously, most countries in active earthquake zones have reconsidered their building regulations, since in particular, Croatia has a lower risk for major earthquakes.

Experience building in earthquake zones since the hunters and gatherers settled down.

But wait - Sweden has an idea 😂

 

[MrJay]

Earthquakes are not particularly considered when building houses in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, or the rest of the Balkans, so you can drop that discussion. If you want to build with that in mind, nothing is stopping you, just contact a civil engineering firm.

 

[Farstatjej90]

Not much consideration is given to earthquakes when building houses in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, or the rest of the Balkans, so you can drop that discussion. If you want to build with that in mind there's nothing preventing you, just contact a construction engineering firm.

Otherwise, Byggahus is usually very quick to point out that various things can't be used in Sweden because it all depends on local conditions in air, soil, and sea. But in this case, it doesn't matter.

I believe that if something has stood for 300 years, you need strong evidence before criticizing the construction.

 

[mvs]

I don't think so, it's probably much more stable than one might think.
Just need to find someone who knows what they're doing.

We'll see if the structural engineer agrees to it. Some of the stones are hefty and require two people to lift.

 

[mvs]

Magically cozy🤩

Glad you like it! Here's a picture of the front of the house:

 

[Timmermannen77]

What a beautiful place you have 🤩
Another option might have been to let a blacksmith put up steel columns, and some steel beams that can be cast between the floors.🤷🏼

 

[paralun]

One does not particularly consider earthquakes when building houses in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, or other Balkan regions, so you can drop that discussion. If you want to build with that in mind, nothing is stopping you, just contact a construction engineering firm.

Only the experts in Croatia know that. I can imagine there are regulations for both new constructions and renovations to withstand an earthquake.

Google responded in a few milliseconds when asking about Krk.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatian-island-of-krk-hit-with-4-8-earthquake/

 

[MrJay]

Only the experts in Croatia know that. I can imagine they have regulations for both new construction and renovations to withstand an earthquake.

Google responded in a few milliseconds when asking about Krk.
[link]

From what I can see, they have new regulations since 2021 for buildings damaged by earthquakes (see https://mpgi.gov.hr/vijesti-8/od-da...vila-o-obnovi-zgrada-ostecenih-potresom/14110) in certain areas. The building law doesn't say much; I just find a short section that one should consider earthquake protection when renovating buildings (not houses)*

* Članak 47.a (6) - https://www.zakon.hr/z/690/Zakon-o-gradnji

But, as always - consult with a local building engineer.

 

[Farstatjej90]

From what I can see, they have a new regulation since 2021 that applies to buildings damaged by seismic activity (see [link]) in certain areas. The Building Law doesn't say much; I only find a short paragraph about considering seismic protection when renovating buildings (not houses)*

* Članak 47.a (6) - [link]

But, as always - consult with a local structural engineer

Credit to Google's AI Bard who found this quickly when I asked:
Seismic Risk of Croatian Cities Based on Building’s Vulnerability
https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/300935

It also provided several other sources regarding construction regulations. Just ask if you are curious. But the article was good!

 

[mvs]

But, as always - consult with a local structural engineer

Yes, a local structural engineer is a requirement in this case. The building permit will not be approved without his list of requirements being integrated into the project. Interestingly, the measures he demands must then be reviewed and approved by another independent structural engineer. So they seem to take it seriously, which is reassuring. But we believe there are different ways to do this and we would like to avoid building a house within the house. As mentioned earlier, I'm now leaning towards either making new openings for new wooden joists or saving 20 cm stubs of the existing beams and then placing new ones on top.

 

[mvs]

What a beautiful place you have 🤩
Another option might have been to have a blacksmith set up steel pillars and some steel beams that can be poured upon between the floor joists.🤷🏼

I will speak with them and see if it's possible. We will not have access to a construction crane, so everything will have to be carried by hand, so weight might be an issue. I assume such a steel beam weighs quite a bit.

 

[PeGeCo]

Have you considered a steel structure instead of concrete pillars? It ought to be sleeker and relatively easy to install instead of casting concrete pillars. If they are prepared correctly, you can bolt load-bearing wooden beams to them and then lay the floor on top.

 

[TRJBerg]

Probably a bad suggestion, but could steel beams be a (partial) solution? Expensive, of course.

 

[Marcus0321]

How large are the joists to be built? Length and width of the rooms where the joists will be?