Brick Masonry: U.S. Office Building in Moscow

Abstract

The National Bureau of Standards conducted a structural assessment of the new U.S. Embassy Office Building being built in Moscow. This paper reports the portion of the assessment dealing with the brick masonry walls. It describes the walls and provides summaries of two site visits, laboratory studies, and an analysis of the exterior walls, parapet walls, penthouse walls, and interior brick masonry core walls. Numerous cracks were found in exterior walls, incomplete construction of interior core walls was documented, and inadequate lateral strength of parapet walls was identified. Remedial measures were recommended for correction of deficiencies. Companion papers provide background information about the structure and the investigation, an assessment of the primary structural system, and the potential for progressive collapse.