Step by Step Inspection of Building

Structures
Different Levels of Assessment on Existing Structure
The different assessment levels are:

1. Preliminary Assessment
2. Final Assessment

Preliminary Assessment of Structures

The building codes recommend the design and practice based on Safety Factors that is chosen
to minimize the risk of brittle failure. In practice, most of the failure observed in building
structures will be observed initially by a warning. This warning will be either in the form of
large deflections or in the form of extensive cracking. If the structure’s strength is endangered
by any form of cracking, it will provide time to carry out the preliminary assessment and
bring the measure to strengthen it.

During the preliminary assessment of the structure, we must evaluate whether the structure is
load bearing or not. This will be continued with the quick study of drawings and the
calculations together along with a preliminary inspection. This will give us a brief idea on
whether the structure is overloaded or whether a reserve strength is still available. Areas
wherever necessary, measure have to be provided to provide the final strengthening and the
repair work.
Final Assessment of Structures
The final assessment of the structure will include the careful inspection techniques for the type
and the kind of deterioration that is determined from the preliminary assessment. The main
objective of the assessment is to determine the residual strength of the analysed structure and
bring decisions on:

 Ø Whether the structure possesses a residual strength or stiffness in order to behave in

a safety margin. This is not a requirement for normal conditions alone but also for the
exceptional events like fire, impact or earthquakes.
 Ø Whether special measures and methods have to be employed to perform the
suitable level of safety for the structure

Most of the structural deficiencies that affect the strength or the serviceability conditions of
the structure arise from:

1. The structural deficiencies like faults in material, design, and workmanship

2. The changes in the environmental effects, abnormal load effects, excessive demands
on the structure and fire
In order to analyse the above conditions, a systematic approach is necessary for the structural
assessment. This will include:

1. Visual Inspection

2. Study of the Existing Structure

3. Load Estimation

4. Consideration of Environmental Influences

5. Determination of steel and concrete material Properties

Visual Inspection
This inspection is carried out to detect all the symptoms of damages and defects. This must
include a check on the actual dimensions of the concerned structure.
Study on Existing Structure
This inspection study will include the detailed examination of the codes, structural analysis,
specification and drawings, soil investigations, the construction diary, the inspection reports
and everything that is related to the quality control, design and the construction of the
structure.

Load Estimation
The estimation of the loads has to be done in comparison with the actual loads and the
settlement or the rotation of the foundation including the assumptions involved in the
structural analysis.

In the case of prestressed structures, the conformity of the structural analysis, the drawings,
the effects of concrete shrinkage and creep, the actual stressing forces should be checked.

Consideration of Environmental Influences

These will include the effect of aggressive agents that is found in the atmosphere, temperature
effects, rain and also the use of de-icing salts.
Determination of steel and concrete material Properties
The material properties of steel and concrete can be carried out using several inspection
techniques and equipment available.
Design deficiencies, construction defects, extreme environmental events, deteriorating
conditions, and changes in applied loads can potentially lead to unplanned failures and
business delays. As such, it is important that facilities have a comprehensive structural
integrity program that considers the design, inspection, maintenance, evaluation, and repair of
structural equipment.

Types of Structures and Foundations

Structural equipment consists of structures that support other types of assets, as well as safety
and access structures. Typical types of structures and foundations found in process facilities
may include:

 Steel and concrete frames and trusses supporting elevated equipment and piping
  Foundations for support structures, piers and pedestals for vessels (skirt-supported and
saddle-supported), tanks, and other equipment supported at grade
 Pipe racks, piping, and pipeline support piers (and their foundations)
 Derricks and trusses supporting coke cutting equipment, steel stacks, or other equipment or
piping
 Self-supported steel and concrete stacks
 Cooling towers
 Heater structures
 Solids storage vessels such as bins and silos, concrete tanks, and pits
 Structural frames supporting lifting and conveyance equipment
 OSHA 1910 Subpart D Safety Structures (walking surfaces/platforms, ladders, etc.)
 Other structures that can affect process safety and reliability

Structural Deficiencies and Damage Mechanisms

Deficiencies that can impact the useful life of structures are wide ranging and are highly
dependent on individual component types. For example, steel structures may experience
environmental corrosion and corrosion under insulation, whereas concrete structures may be
prone to unique forms of corrosion that do not impact metallic structures. Additions of new
equipment or piping may impact the load-carrying capacity or stability of a structure.

Inspection and Testing

Structural inspection involves using several types of nondestructive testing (NDT) to inspect
structures for damage and wear. These include visual inspection, ultrasonic testing (UT),
liquid penetrant testing (PT), magnetic particle testing (MPT), and radiographic testing (RT).

A key purpose of a structural inspection is to determine if the structure can carry design loads
and whether any modifications or structural repairs have occurred, or are necessary to ensure
the building is operating within safe occupancy and can perform its intended commercial
function.
Structural Integrity:

 Examine the foundation, walls, floors, and ceilings for signs of cracks, settlement, or
structural damage.
 Assess the condition of beams, columns, and load-bearing elements to ensure their
stability and integrity.
 Look for any signs of moisture intrusion or water damage that may affect the
building’s structural stability. These will be evident on the roof surface, inside the
roof space or in other areas of the commercial property located close to sources of
water.

Column: Inspect along the columns for alignment, plumb, impact damage, and cracking.
Check the connections at the base and capital for cracks or signs of crushing or distortion.
Verify section sizes at critical areas, such as at ,midspan and ends.
At What Temperature Does Steel Lose Structural Integrity?

Structural steels are used in most large construction projects, such as buildings and bridges, in
the form of girders etc. The performance of the steel is vital to maintain the required integrity.
High temperatures are known to weaken steel, which begins to soften at around 425°C and
loses about half of its strength at 650°C. At these temperatures, the steel will begin to buckle
and twist if subject to high loads, which will impede structural integrity.
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is any type of corrosion that occurs due to moisture
present on the external surface of insulated equipment. The damage/attack can be caused by
one of multiple factors, and can occur in equipment operating at ambient, low, and heated
services, depending upon conditions. Moreover, CUI can occur on thermally insulated
equipment that is in service, out of service, or in cyclic service. Because these surfaces are
not generally available/accessible for visual examination, the onset of corrosion cannot be
easily identified, and in extreme cases, severe corrosion with consequential loss of system
integrity can occur.
CUI should specify a quality immersion grade metal coating, a durable water repellent
thermal insulation installed with a complete well-sealed weather barrier/jacketing system
with drainage features.

The corrosion itself can manifest in several different forms, the most common of which are
galvanic, acidic or alkaline, and chloride. According to the National Board of Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Inspectors:

 Galvanic Corrosion generally results from wet insulation with an electrolyte or salt
present that allows a current flow between dissimilar metals (i.e., the insulated metal
surface and the outer jacket or accessories).
 Alkaline or Acidic Corrosion results when an alkali, or acid, and moisture are present
in certain fibrous or granular insulations.
 Chloride Corrosion can be caused by the combination of insulation containing
leachable chlorides with the 300 series austenitic stainless steel surfaces, when
moisture is present and temperatures are above 140oF.

CUI Detection
brute forcing” (i.e., removing insulation, inspecting, mitigating, and re-insulating),
conventional and unconventional radiography, pulsed eddy current, guided-wave ultrasonics,
and ultrasonic thickness measurements from the internal surface of the equipment. Some
operating facilities apply risk and/or criticality analyses to prioritize pressure vessels and
piping for CUI inspection, versus “brute forcing.”