Condition Assessment of

Buildings- A Pre Job Analysis

Salil Gadgil
 Condition Assessment

● Condition Survey

● Common Distresses

● Process

● Components

● Recommendation

● Summary
 Condition Survey-

● Meaning - It is an examination of concrete for the purpose of identifying &

defining area of distresses.

● Objectives-
a) To identify causes of distresses & their sources
b) To identify extent of distresses, Residual strength of structure.
c)To prioritize the distressed elements according to seriousness of repairs
d)To select and plan the effective remedy

Source- ACI 207.3R-94

 Common Distress-

Defects

Common Distress Damage

Deterioration
 Defects-

● Design Defects

Lack of movement joints etc.

● Product Defects

Fabrication error

Poor quality material

● Construction Defects

Communication breakdown

Wrong installation/application
 Deterioration-

Environmental/Chemical/Physical Factors
• Weathering factors
– Water, temperature, radiation, air, wind
• Biological factors
– Algae, fungi, insect
• Stress factors
– Shrinkage, load, expansion, settlement
• Incompatibility factors
– physical interaction, chemical reaction
• Use factors
– Wear and tear
 Damage

Natural Causes Mechanical Cause

• Fire ● Impact
• Spillage – chemical attack ● Abrasion, wear and tear
• Wind/earthquake ● Loading and unloading cycles
• Flood ● Fatigue
• Earthquakes ● Overloading

Foundation Problems Man made Causes

• Excessive settlement ● Vandalism
• Settlement due to cavities, vibrations, ● Unauthorised
modification/alteration
excavations close to foundation
● Blasts and Sabotages
• Soil shrinkage and swelling
● Poor or no maintenance
 Stages of Condition Survey

● Preliminary Inspection ● Planning

● Visual Inspection ●
Field & Laboratory Testing
 Process Establish Aims &
Information required

Documentation Survey
Preliminary Site Visit

Preliminary Site Visit

Set Interpretation Rules

Planning Stage
Field Specification

Analysis,
Visual Inspection Interpretation
Reporting
Visual Inspection Stage
Is Structural Necessity?

Non Destructive Testings

Testing Stage

Conclusion

Action Plan
 A. Preliminary Inspection

● Background History of distressed structure – From Owners, Clients, Occupants

● Period of Construction, Structural & Architectural drawings
● Exposure Condition of structures
● Designed Vs Present use of structure
● Records of first deterioration, structural changes made
● Details of repairs carried earlier
● Reports of previous investigation, surveys
● Apparent causes of distresses to be ascertained from clients
● Photographs of distressed Portions

CPWD Handbook on Repairs & Rehabilitation of RCC Structures

 Indications on Defects& Deterioration

Cause Symptoms Age of

Appearance
Cracking Spalling Erosion Early Long
Term
Structural Deficiency Yes Yes Yes Yes
Reinforcement Yes Yes Yes
Corrosion
Chemical Attack Yes Yes Yes Yes
Frost Damage Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fire Damage Yes Yes Yes
Internal Reactions Yes Yes Yes
Thermal Effects Yes Yes Yes Yes
Shrinkage Yes Yes Yes
Creep Yes Yes Yes
Rapid Drying Yes Yes
Plastic Shrinkage Yes Yes
Physical Damage Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Source- Testing of Concrete structures by J H Bungey
 B. Planning

I. Preparation of Field Documents-

● Survey Objective, Scope of work , Testing equipments required, List of tasks &
sequences of activities, Copies of drawings, Work sheets & Tables for
information gathered, Previous Condition survey reports, Repairs &
Maintenance records

II. Grouping of Structural Members-

● Grouping as per types & similarity to exposure conditions for better
understanding of distresses
 As per CPWD Handbook on Repairs

. Classes of Damage & Repair Classification -

Class of Repair Concrete Condition Repairs Requirement
Damage Class

Class 0 Cosmetic No structural distresses, Only Redecoration if required

surface disfigured

Class 1 Superficial Final finish/skin only damaged, Superficial Repairs

No structural distresses.
Carbonation not reached
reinforcement levels

Class 2 Patch Minor structural cracks, Minor structural cracks sealing,

Repair carbonation reached Carbonation resistant coatings,
reinforcement levels shortcrete

Class 3 Principal Spalling of concrete cover, major Strengthening repair to RCC

Repair structural cracks, cracking along member as per load carrying
reinforcement due to corrosion, capacity. Make up reinforcement
reduced load carrying capacity have to be provided in case of
deficiencies due to corrosion

Class 4 Major Major structural loss Major Strengthening repairs by

Repair necessitating replacement of ignoring original concrete &
structural member reinforcement or demolition &
recasting
 C. Visual Inspection

● Simple Tools to be used like camera, binocular , gauges, chisels, Hammer, light
platforms, Tapes etc.
● Qualitative method of evaluation of structural soundness & identifying typical
distresses symptoms
● Provides information on workmanship, structural serviceability, material
deterioration
● Basis for action plan to diagnosis of problem & quantifying extent of distresses,
● Tool to assess state of structural health
● Essential for calculating realistic bill of quantities.
 What to look for??

● Record for Visual Inspection should be prepared for entire structure but for analysis
& identification of sources of cause, focused work needs to be carried out on
selected areas showing typical defects.
● For comparison purpose, areas free from defects shall be examined as well.
●
Commonly observed order of deterioration-
Order Location of RCC Component
First Wet areas with RCC elements located on external direct exposed walls/slabs
& frequented with alternate drying & wetting cycle
Second Thin exposed non structural RCC elements like Chajjas, Railings

Third Terrace RCC slab with ineffective insulation, waterproofing, drainage

Fourth Wet areas with RCC elements located on inner unexposed walls/slabs &
frequented with alternate drying & wetting cycle
Fifth Beams/ Columns with one faced exposed to sun, Rain & other unexposed

Sixth Beams & columns exposed to sun & rain from all the sides

Last Beams, Columns & slabs located in the interior of building

 What to look for?? Cont..
●
Leakages & seepages-
What to look for?? Cont..

Structural System
 What to look for?? Cont.

Type of Cracks & pattern

What to look for?? Cont.
 Visual Inspection Report

● Information obtained from Visual Inspection will determine whether there is need of
further comprehensive investigation using sophisticated techniques.

● Report shall include worksheets & photographic records-

1. Areas of immediate attention
2. Recordings of location, classification & extent of defects
3. Critical areas of structures like high distress, deflections, moisture, leakages,
vibrations etc.
4. Plotting of defects on drawings, Bill of quantities, test results- Understanding
causes of deterioration
 D. Field & Laboratory Testing

● Insitu Concrete Strength- A. ● Chemical Tests- A.

Rebound Hammer Test B. Carbonation Test B.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity C. Chloride Test C.
Windsor Probe D. Sulphate Test
Pull Out Tests- Core sampling E.
Load Test

● Corrosion Potential Assessment A.

● Fire Damage Assessment A.
Cover Meter B. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis B.
Half Cell Method C. Differential Thermal Analysis C. X
Resistivity Meter D. Ray Diffraction
Permeability

● Structural Integrity/Soundness Assessment-

A. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
B. Radiography
C. Impact Echo Test
 Recommendations-
Buildings Grade Remarks

The building is structurally unsafe and has been found to be in

C1 Buildings extremely dangerous condition. This building needs to be
vacated immediately and demolished.

Only a portion of this building is in extremely dangerous

condition (not repairable and worthy of demolition), while
C2 A Buildings other portion can be repaired or strengthened. This building
need not be vacated completely. The extremely dangerous
portion should be cordoned off.

C2 B Buildings The building has been found to be dangerous (need major

repairs/ strengthening urgently, but need not be vacated).

C3 Buildings The building condition is satisfactory (need minor repairs).

 Summary

 Regular condition assessment helps early detection of deterioration

 Advance NDT methods helps to find out source of seepage, leakages, defects,
honeycombs, cracks in the structures.

 Efficiency of Visual inspection is governed by the experience and knowledge

of the investigator. A broad knowledge of structural behaviour, materials, and
construction methods is desirable.

 Visual inspection is typically one aspect of the total evaluation plan, which
will often be supplemented by a series of other NDT methods or invasive
procedures.

 Diagnosis of defects and condition assessments are essential for a successful

repair & maintenance program.
 THANK YOU!!!
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