IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.

5, Issue 04, 2017 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

Structural Audit: A Need of an Hour

Rushabh Karnavat1 Vivek Singh2
1
Structural Engineer 2C.E.O.
1,2
Creative Consultants, Mumbai
Abstract— Structural audit is a complete health and
B. Purpose of structural audit:
performance check-up of structures. The need of structural
audit is for maintenance and repairs of existing structures  To save human life and Property
whose age has more than of 15 years. It is important to the  To understand the condition of building and to project
building or any structure to check their safety. Structural audit the expected future life.
is an important for knowing the real health status of the  To comply with municipal and statutory requirements
heritage buildings or structure. It is process of analyses of  To proactively assist the residents and the society to
building and this process suggest an appropriate repairs and understand the seriousness of the problems and the
retrofitting measures required for the better performance of urgency required to attend the same
the building service life. There are many buildings have  To enhance life cycle of the building structure by
reduced strength in period of long time because of structural suggesting preventive and corrective measures
deficiency, material deterioration, unexpected over loadings  To find critical portion to repair immediately
or physical damage. There is demand of appropriate actions
and measures for all such building structures to improve its C. Why structural audit?:
performance and restore the desired functions of structures Structural audit mainly carried out for:
which may leads to increase its functional life. The periodical  As a Statutory Requirement:-
structural auditing and analysis for health of existing  After every 5 years as per Inspector of factories
buildings is very important for finding the present status of  After 30 years at every 5 years as per Municipal Act
structures. The structural audit must be carried out auditing  After 15 years at every 5 years and after 30 years at
norms, methods of non-destructive testing and code every 3 years as per Co- operative society act
provisions.  For insurance
Key words: Structural Audit, Non-Destructive Test, repairs  For Bank-Mortgage
and controls  For Valuation
 Structure showing Distress
I. INTRODUCTION
 Proposed Addition, Alterations Extensions in building /
There are many building structures which have reduced structure
strength after the period of long time. Use of such  For Damage assessment due to earthquake, fire, blast,
deteriorated structure it may cause danger the lives of the vibration, corrosion etc.
surrounding habitation. Appropriate techniques should be
executed to improve the better performance of structures and D. Stages in Carrying Out Structural Audit:
reestablished the desired function of structures. The health 1) Visual Inspection
examination of concrete building called as “Structural audit" 2) Non-Destructive Testing
Structural Audit is an important tool for knowing the 1) Visual Inspection:
real status of the existing building structures. Thus, it is a) General information of the building
important to perform structural audit of existing building  Name and Detailed Address of building
structures and to implement maintenance/ restoration work  Number of stories in each wings/ blocks of building
after suitable time which will help for prolonged life of the  Year of construction of building
building structure and safety of the surroundings.  Description of main usage of building i.e. Residential,
It should highlight and investigate all critical portion Commercial, Institutional, etc.
and recommend immediate suggestive remedial and  Maintenance history of building
preventive measures. It also helps in carrying a strong b) Structural System of the building
building structure with cost effective solutions and  Sub structure: Settlement of columns or foundations,
appropriate maintenance program. Deflection and cracks in Retaining wall, Soil bearing
capacity through trial pits or from adjacent soil data
II. STRUCTURAL AUDIT  Super structure: Identification of the critical structural
A. What is Structural Audit?: members like columns, transfer beams, slender
Structural audit is a complete health and performance members, rusting of exposed steel and its extent. Verify
which materials used and framing system of structure
checkup of the building structures. Structural Audit is an
important tool for knowing the real status of the existing  Mention the status of all building structural elements like
building structures. It examines the critical portion of the beams, slabs, columns, likewise balconies, canopy,
structures and suggests appropriate retrofitting techniques chajja, parapet wall and railings relating to deflection,
required for the durability and serviceability point of view. It cracks, leakages, spalling of concrete, exposure of steel,
ensure that the premises of the structures are safe and have no corrosion of steel etc. etc.
risk.  Identify the status of water tank, staircase, lift and lift
machine room.

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 Structural Audit: A Need of an Hour
(IJSRD/Vol. 5/Issue 04/2017/032)

c) Addition or Alterations in the building Step 1: One Should Must Have All Architectural
 Identification of change of occupancy And Structural Plans/Drawings Of The Buildings. It Will Be
 Alteration or addition of partition walls Helpful If We Have Detailed Structural Calculations
 Alteration or addition in loadings- stacking Including Assumptions For The Structural Design.
 Alteration or addition of toilets, water tank Step 2: If the Architectural plans and Structural
 Alteration or addition of balcony plans are not available, the same can be prepared by Engineer
d) Dampness and leakages by measuring the size of the building. & locating the position
 Detect the dampness, seepage marks in walls of the columns, beams and size of all such structural
elements.
 Identify the leakages in Terrace, toilets, plumbing lines,
Step 3: Inspection of the Building –
drainage lines and overhead water tanks.
A detailed visual inspection with photographic
2) Non-Destructive Testing:
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a wide group of analysis survey of the building structure externally and internally can
reveal the Following:
techniques used in science and technology industry to
1) Any settlements in the foundations.
Inspecting, Testing, or Evaluating materials, components or
2) Status of Architectural features viz. Chajja, fins,
assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in
canopies etc.
characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the
3) Cracks in walls indicating swelling in R.C.C. members
part or system.
In other words, when the inspection or test is or deflection or corrosion.
4) Cracks in R.C.C. members i.e. columns, beams and slabs
completed the part can still be used.
etc.
The terms Non-destructive examination, Non-
5) Spalling of concrete and exposed steel reinforcements
destructive inspection and Non-destructive evaluation are
6) Extent of corrosion in reinforcement.
also commonly used to describe this technology, because
7) Slight tapping using hammer to find out deterioration in
NDT does not permanently alter the component being
concrete.
inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both
8) Status of Balconies – sagging, deflection, cracks.
money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and
9) Changes carried out affecting structure. Toilet blocks -
research.
Added or changes made? Change of user – from
Types of Non-Destructive tests for RCC structure :
Residential to Commercial to industrial? Change of
1) Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test (UPV)
2) Rebound Hammer Test Partition Walls?
10) Leakages from terrace & Toilet blocks.
3) Half-Cell Potentiometer Test (HCP)
11) Leakages & dampness in walls resulting into plaster
4) Carbonation Test
cracks and corrosion.
5) Chemical Test viz. pH, Cl2, SO3
12) Status of repairs & last repaired and what was that
6) Core Cutting test
Occupation Certificate available?
7) Cover Meter test
8) Permeability Test Structural Plans available?
Structural Stability Certificate available?
3) Why N.D.T.?
Structural Calculations available?
a) Concrete Strength
Step 4: Tests Recommended:
 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test: To evaluate
It is important that various tests are carried out in the
homogeneity of concrete, to assess strength of concrete
existing buildings. This will give an idea about the extent of
qualitatively, to determine structural integrity
corrosion, distress and loss of strength in concrete & steel.
 Rebound Hammer Test: To measure surface hardness of
Step 5: Preparation of Audit Report:
concrete, to find the compressive strength
On the basis of visual inspection and Non-
 Core cutting Test: To calculate compressive strength, Destructive testing of building, an Audit Report is prepared.
permeability, density of concrete. Suggested remedies should be included in the structural audit
b) Chemical Attack report.
 Carbonation Test: To measure depth of carbonation Step 6: Highlight the critical areas in distress
 Chloride Test: To evaluate total water/acid soluble mapping plans and how to go for repairs, methodology,
chloride contents proving Standard operating procedures (SOP)
 Sulphate Test: To assess total water/water soluble For e.g.
sulphate contents of concrete 1) No. of columns requiring immediate attention including
c) Corrosion Potential Assessment treating rusted steel, adding new steel, jacketing of
 Cover Meter: To measure cover of reinforcement, columns etc. – Repairing foundations, repairing
diameter of reinforcement and spacing of reinforcement balconies, Chajja.
 Half Cell Method: To determine probability of corrosion 2) Need to retrofit for beams and slabs wherever required.
in the implanted steel 3) Required water proofing of terrace, toilet blocks.
 Permeability Test: To assess permeability of concrete 4) Attending cracks in external walls and providing good
due to water and air quality of paint. The critical areas highlighted need to be
repair immediately.
E. How structural Audit is carried out:
1) Steps to be followed in Structural Auditing:

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 Structural Audit: A Need of an Hour
(IJSRD/Vol. 5/Issue 04/2017/032)

F. General Format of the Structural Audit Report: five years. If building older than 30 years, once in a 3 years
1) Introduction: structural audit should be done considering serviceability &
Sr.No. Description Remark durability point of view
1 Type of bldg. structure
2 Age of building REFERENCES
3 No. of wings [1] M. J. Monteiro and N. J. Pathak (2011), Article in
4 No. of stories International Journal of Earth
5 No. of flats [2] Sciences and Engineering, ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04,
6 Mode of use No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp. 677-680.
7 Architectural Plan Available [3] J. J. Shah (2008), Article in The Indian Concrete Journal,
8 Structural Plan Available
9 Building Plan Approval Date [4] Indian Standard: 13311:1992 (Part 1) NDT methods of
10 Occupation Certificate Date Test- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity.
11 Last Repair Date/History [5] Indian Standard: 13311:1992 (Part 2) NDT methods of
Table 1: Test- Rebound Hammer.
[6] ACI 546R-04 – Concrete repair guide.
2) Visual Observation:
[7] ACI 562-12 - Code Requirements for Evaluation, Repair,
Sr.no. Description Remarks
and Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings.
Sub Structure
[8] Indian Standard: 456: 2000- Plain and Reinforced
1. Foundation/Footing Strata
Concrete – Code of Practice (Fourth Revision).
Settlement of Columns [9] Indian Standard: 516: 1959- Method of test for strength
Settlement of Walls of concrete.
Cracks in Columns , Walls, Joint at [10] Shah I.H. (2008), “Structural Audit of Existing
Plinth Buildings”, Structural Audit & Suggested Formats 2008
Super Structure [11] A.B Mahadik and M.h Jaiswal,”Structural Audit of
2. Super Structure Inspections Buildings”, International Journal of Civil Engineering
Cracks in columns/ rusting of steel , Research, Vol.5, Issue 4, pp: 411-416, November 2014
/ exposed steel [12] Building and Construction Authority, “Periodic
Cracks in beams/ rusting of steel , / Structural Inspection of Existing Buildings”, January
exposed steel 2012 Central PWD, “Handbook on repair and
Cracks in slabs / rusting of steel, / rehabilitation of RCC Buildings”, July 2010
exposed steel
Cracks in external walls
Cracks in internal walls
Leakages & dampness in external
3.
walls
4. Toilet leakages, cracks
5. Terrace water proofing inspection
Leakage & dampness on the top floor
6.
slab
Inspection of water tank above
7.
terrace
8. Inspection of underground water tank
Leakages & damages:-plumbing
9.
lines/waterlines, drainage lines
Table 2:

III. CONCLUSIONS
The structural diagnosis is vast, important and highly
responsible job which is connected with lives of human
beings. For any load bearing or R.C.C. framed structure,
structural audit is very necessary. It is mandatory and
advisable to carry out the periodical structural audit of the
buildings by professional experts – Consulting Civil &
Structural Engineers and perform immediately through
recommendations provided in their audit report to safeguard
the structure. The effective implementation of suggestive
remedies provided in the audit report will ultimately increases
the life span of structure, prevents deterioration of building
leading to sustainability. For every CHS building structure
more than 15 years old structural audit is necessary once in

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