Zustandsuntersuchung und Instandsetzung am Hauptdach des Hauses der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin

The main roof of the "Haus der Kulturen der Welt" in Berlin

Which is very well-known on account of its history and striking structural design - was to be inspected by the author to determine its condition and analysed with regard to the durability of the existing liquid synthetic sealant. The roof structure consists of a biaxial, curved area-covering structural element with circumferential edge beams of pre-stressed lightweight concrete. This is the result of the reconstruction between 1984 and 1987 following a partial collapse of the then Berlin Congress Hall in 1980. The very thin roof shell is also made of lightweight concrete and, like the edge beams, has a polyurethane-based spray-on seal that was specially developed for this purpose as protection against the ingress of moisture. The reason why this, at the time, novel type of seal was chosen was that it should take into account the fact that the roof design urgently needed some kind of protection against moisture that had to compensate the expected changes shape and crack movements of the roof with no damage. The following article reports on the nature, scope and main results of the analysis of the condition of the roof seal, edge beams and abutments. It will also describe the repair recommendations resulting from the investigations, which form the basis of the execution of work at the present point in time. Apart from presenting the technical principles and special features of the building that have to be taken into account during any repairs, the special features of the execution will also be addressed.