Assessment and strengthening of grandstand of horse racecourse in Budapest—A national monument

The racecourse “Kerepesi Ügető” in Budapest was closed in 2000, and all of its buildings were demolished except for the Class II Grandstand, which had been declared a national monument earlier. Our task was to perform a comprehensive static investigation of this grandstand and to develop a methodology for structural strengthening in order to preserve this monument for future generations. Investigations included in situ measurements, laboratory material tests, and finite‐element analysis of the structure. According to the results of static calculations, the method of strengthening was proposed, which included the injection of cracks, integration of new structural elements, application of concrete jacketing, and bonded carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polymer sheets. The applied strengthening and renovation method extended the lifespan of the grandstand by 50 years.