Imagine a man carrying a heavy load on his head. Now, imagine someone punches a hole in his leg and inserts a pipe through it. Will he still stand strong and balanced?
That’s exactly what happens when drainage pipes are inserted into structural columns on a building site you’re weakening the very part meant to hold the structure up!
Here’s why it’s a dangerous move:
What Could Go Wrong?
1. Reduced Strength:
Columns are designed to carry weight. Once you reduce their size by inserting a pipe, you’re cutting down their ability to carry that weight. That’s a shortcut to disaster.
2. Cracks and Weak Spots:
Drilling holes or embedding pipes creates areas where stress builds up. These points become weak, and over time, they may crack or fail.
3. Less Stability:
The thinner the column becomes, the more likely it is to bend or collapse under pressure especially in tall buildings.
4. Damaged Reinforcement:
The steel rods (rebar) inside a column work with the concrete to give it strength. Inserting a pipe could disturb or even cut through this reinforcement, weakening the entire column.
5. Corrosion Risk:
If water leaks from the pipe or moisture finds its way in, the steel inside the column can begin to rust. Rust weakens the steel and reduces the life of the structure.
6. Total Collapse:
In worst-case scenarios, one compromised column can trigger a chain reaction, leading to partial or complete building collapse.
What You Should Do Instead
Always consult a structural engineer before making any changes to a column. It’s not something to guess about.
Use external drainage systems or ducting system that don’t interfere with the structural elements of your building.
If you must insert a pipe, increase the size of the column so it can still handle the required load, even with the pipe inside.
In Summary:
A column is not just a concrete pillar it’s the leg holding your building up. Never compromise it by squeezing in pipes without professional advice. What you save today in shortcuts, you may pay for tomorrow in collapse.
Ejiofor Chibueze Charles (Arc)
M.A.D ARCHITECTS
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