Radio Tower Engineer Shukhov – Century History and Prospects

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of preserving the object of cultural heritage of federal significance – the Moscow Radio Tower. It is noted that the object of protection of the monument is the volume-spatial composition and the unique constructive solution of V. G. Shukhov. Information about the reconstructions and examinations carried out after the tower was erected is given. For more than a century of operation, corrosion damage has formed in the elements and assemblies, which led the tower to an emergency state. In 2016, in order to implement emergency measures, an internal additional support was erected, designed to prevent irreversible deformations of the tower in the event of failure of individual elements. It is noted that the emergency support eliminates the possibility of sudden destruction of the structure, but the metal structures remain in an emergency state. The results of the survey in 2022 confirmed the accident rate of the components and elements of the Radio Tower, showed the acceleration of corrosion processes. The carried out laboratory researches proved the nonweldability and cold brittleness of steel, the heterogeneity of its chemical and strength parameters. In 2023, the development of project documentation for the liquidation of the emergency condition and the reconstruction of the original appearance of the tower with the maximum possible preservation of the original elements began. Based on the analysis of the design features of the tower and the results of surveys, recommendations were developed for the implementation of project documentation for the restoration of the structure.