INTRODUCTION

The Supreme Court ordered the demolition of the four apartment complexes on May
8 of 2019 that were built by violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules at
Maradu municipality. The flats were built along the coastal region that falls under the
CRZ-III category with strict curbs on construction activities. In these areas,
constructions are not allowed within 200 metres from the coastline.

Apartments demolished are:

A) Alfa Serene (Location: Nettoor),

B) Holy Faith H20 (Location: Kundannoor),

C) Golden Kayaloram (Location: Kannadikadu),

D) Jain Coral Cove (Location: Nettoor).

Alfa serene was constructed by Alfa Ventures Private Ltd. Managing Director was Paul
Raj. It was a high rise residential complex opposite to hotel Le Meridian. Explosion
carried out on ground floor, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 14th floors. Demolition charted
on January 11 at 11:30 am. Vijay Steels (Chennai) carried out demolition process.

Holy Faith H20 was constructed by Holy Faith Builders and Developers. Managing
Director was Sany Francis. It was an 18-floor apartment behind the municipal office.
Explosion carried out on lower, upper ground, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th and 15th floors.
Demolition charted on January 11 at 11:00 am. Edifice Engineering (Mumbai) carried
out demolition process.

Golden Kayaloram was constructed by K P Varkey and Builders. Managing Director

was K V Jose. It was the first apartment complex to be built 20 years ago located along
Champakara canal. Explosion carried out on ground floor, 1st, 2nd, and 7th floors.
Demolition charted on January 12 at 2:00 pm. Edifice Engineering (Mumbai) carried
out demolition process.

Jain Coral Cove was constructed by Jain Housing and Constructions. Managing
Director was Sandeep Malik. Explosion carried out on ground floor, upper ground, and
1st, 5th, 8th, 11th and 14th floors. Demolition charted on January 12 at 11:00 am. Edifice
Engineering (Mumbai) carried out demolition process.

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After the demolition of the above structures a huge impact has occurred to the
neighbouring buildings. The people became anxious about the cracks seen on their
premises. These locations were visited by our team on 13th of February 2020.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the assignment is to investigate the distress developed in the
buildings due to the demolition of the buildings in Maradu, Kochi in January 2020 and
report the detailed analysis of the same.

LOCATION

The neighbourhood buildings within 200 meters of the demolished apartments like Alfa
Serene, Holy Faith H20, Golden Kayaloram and Jane Coral Cove which was situated
in Maradu municipality, Ernakulam district were studied.

Enquiry from a single storey house and a Ship care office near Jane Coral Cove was
initially taken. Second enquiry taken from residential buildings near Alfa Serene, Holy
Faith H20 and Golden Kayaloram.

A door-to-door questionnaire along with inspection of the structure was employed to

attain relevant information to meet the objective of the study.

PROCESS OF SURVEY

For the purpose of survey, a questionnaire was prepared in prior to collect information
from the inhabitants. The structure was inspected thereafter.

QUESTIONNAIRE

a) Name of the owner

b) Location of the building

c) Number of storeys of the Building

d) Age of the building

e) Cracks on the building, if any, after the demolition of the nearby flat.

RESPONSE FROM INHABITANTS

a) Location: Jane Coral Cove

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As discussed earlier, the first building visited was Ship Care- an office building which
was about 12 years old. No visible effects of demolition were seen of building, though
the employees expressed their anxiety about what might happen after the rainy
season to come henceforth. The holders of the residential building also gave a similar
kind of response. None of the structures nearby Jane Coral Cove have adverse effects
of the implosion as of now. The only thing that bothers them now is the tremendous
vibration caused by heavy vehicles used for transporting the demolition waste from
the site.

b) Location: Alpha Serene

Alpha serene had a populous neighbourhood. The buildings nearby it has survived
major and minor cracks. Most of the buildings here are affected by the demolition.

CRACK ANALYSIS

Fig 1:Wide crack observed on the sunshade

Cracks were found in the rooms as well as in the sunshade of Mr. Ibrahimkutty
Kadeyakuzhi’s house. The house is approximately 10 years old as stated by the
owner. The crack formed is a wide crack and may have occurred due to the vibration
induced during the process of demolition.

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 Fig 2: Spalled concrete section
The concrete section has spalled off from the wall. The spalling of concrete occurred
due to the cracks formed on the surface.

Fig 3: Wide crack observed on the wall

The existing crack got widened during the demolition which led to the formation of this
wide crack. The top surface of the wall has peeled off due to the crack formed.

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 Fig 4: Hairline crack
This hair line crack was observed on the walls. The building is approximately 6 years
old. This type of cracks can occur due to the heavy vibration caused during demolition
activities.

Fig 5: Wide cracks in the partition wall

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These wide cracks were seen in the exterior wall of the house “Prince Villa”. The house
was located within a 100m radius of the demolition site. These are partition walls and
are non-structural members and therefore are not responsible for load transfer.

Fig 6: Wide vertical crack

This is a vertical shear crack which was seen on the internal wall joint. This type of
crack may have occurred due to settlement or due to excess vibration as a result of
the demolition.

Fig 7: Cracks on external wall

Here, the cracks were formed along the bricks on the wall. These types of cracks can
occur due to insufficient bondage between the bricks and mortar used in the

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construction of walls which is a result of faulty construction. Due to the excess vibration
of the demolition, the bond between the bricks and mortar must have broken resulting
in the formation of cracks along the brickwork.

Fig 8: Displacement in flooring tiles

The flooring tiles were seen displaced in one of the houses near to the demolition site.
This might have occurred due to the sudden and excessive vibrational impact on the
house due to the demolition. Cracks on walls were also observed in different parts of
the house.

Fig 9: Horizontal crack

This is a horizontal crack which was observed in one of the houses near to the
demolition site. This is termed as a horizontal crack since the direction of crack is

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parallel to the ground surface. The crack must have occurred due to the vibrational
forces that acted on the member.

Fig 10: Intermediate crack near to the ceiling

Some other examples of hairline cracks observed in the houses were;

Fig 11a and b: Hairline cracks on wall

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CONCLUSION
Different varieties of cracks and damages are visible in the surrounding structures of
demolished apartments. The crack observed are hairline type (thin) and wide type.
Spalling of concrete pieces were also noticed. Well-designed treatments must be
provided to overcome those damages. Grouting, additional surface layers over
cracks and other innovative methods can be applied by the experienced engineers
for the renewal of the buildings.