Leonid Kolchedantsev (sitting). Standing, from left to right Aleksandr Drozdov, Roman Motylev, Aleksandr Sokolnikov

Scientists have developed a universal method for technological equipment of a building during the process of reconstruction or major repairs. Patent No. 2815105 “Strap system (variants)” was received. The authors of the invention, associate professor at the Department of Engineering structures, buildings and constructions of the St Petersburg State Transport University Vladimir Sokolnikov and head of the Department of Construction Management of the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Roman Motylev, based on personal production experience of working on construction sites in St Petersburg.

“Experience has shown the importance of using a tie system for the reconstruction and overhaul of buildings for various purposes. Such a system ensures the integrity of parts of the floors, which means the safety of all construction and installation work,” said Roman Motylev.

The initiator and ideological inspirer of the invention was Vladimir Sokolnikov, who at that time worked as an assistant professor at the SPbGASU Department of Construction Management. The team of authors worked for about two years.

Great assistance in the work was provided by Professor at the Department of Construction Management, DSc in Engineering Leonid Kolchedantsev (30.03.1942–16.01.2023) and Associate Professor Aleksandr Drozdov.

As Roman Motylev explained, the building is being reconstructed not entirely, but in parts. To replace individual beams, the retained portions of unreinforced concrete floors are temporarily braced. A system of parallel strands is needed in order to fix the spatial position of the slab and walls for a long time. Until recently, it was necessary to develop a different system for each case. Technical solutions were usually formulated by foremasters, foremen and other specialists on site. Then the documentation was finalized and approved by the designer's supervision. But now you don’t need to put in so much effort - there is a ready-made solution that suits everyone.

• Roman Vladimirovich explained the main principle of the invention with the words “hang it up and cut it down”: the building is conventionally divided into three parts, one of which must be replaced, and the other two are securely fixed by a system of ties. Thanks to a well-thought-out design, work can be carried out selectively and in stages. The strands are located at two levels: directly on and under the retained floors according to the scheme proposed by the authors.

“There is no doubt that the system is useful. It saves time, reduces labor costs and has already been successfully used on construction sites,” noted Roman Motylev.