{"id":130534,"date":"2021-09-22T12:17:54","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T10:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=130534"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:23:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T09:23:56","slug":"engineers-on-polak-building-a-crack-is-a-warning-signal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2021\/09\/22\/engineers-on-polak-building-a-crack-is-a-warning-signal\/","title":{"rendered":"Engineers on Polak Building: \u2018A crack is a warning signal\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The cracks observed in the Polak Building may be due to the construction work taking place next to the building. So says Professor of Structural Engineering Rob Nijsse of Delft University of Technology. Other experts are more hesitant to draw conclusions. \u201cSuch cracks must be considered warning signals\u201d, says Bob Gieskens of the Association of Dutch Construction Companies.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsther Dijkstra<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Polak Building on campus Woudestein was closed two weeks ago when cracks were found in the floor. The cracks are notable because the building was also closed in 2017 because of an unsafe floor structure. Nijsse believes it is quite likely that the new cracks were caused by the construction errors and the vibrations caused by the construction work taking place next to the Polak Building, where a similar building accommodating lecture rooms is being erected. Simon Wijte (Professor of Sustainment of Concrete Structures at Eindhoven University of Technology) and the Association of Dutch Construction Companies believe it is too soon to draw conclusions and wish to wait and see the results of the formal investigation before issuing any statements on the matter.<\/p>\n\n\t

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