Stabilisation of cracked chimney flues at Matimba Power Station, RSA
Coetzee B., Moncarz P., Noakowski P., Stegemann S.
CICIND REPORT Vol. 15, No. 2, 1999
Order No: CR-194
The paper describes a 250m high multi-flue chimney in South Africa that had suffered severe cracking at the top section of each brickwork lift due to slab deflection and insufficient gap allowance at the lift transitions. The damage was so severe as to have affected the integrity of the flues. The paper gives a brief description of the investigation of the problem, the identification of the cause and the method of strengthening. Preliminary strengthening was provided by the use of steel cables tensioned with a turnbuckle around the conical section. This permitted repair work to continue safely on the liners. Final strengthening was achieved by replacing the steel cables with sprung steel bands.