Building diagnostics versus effectiveness of repairs

Abstract

Building diagnostics before renovation is an important stage in the process of designing and making future repairs and modernization of buildings. Performed hastily, without careful analysis, it may be the cause of wrong decisions about the method of repair. The experience of the person performing the tests usually has an impact on the identification of existing hazards. The article presents an example of the effects of cursory execution of diagnostics on a multi-family residential building. The building was inspected, as it turned out later not precisely, and the causes of damage were wrongly identified. As a result of a cursory diagnosis, works were designed and carried out, which instead of eliminating structural defects have increased them. The causes of errors have been found at the stage of identifying failure, recommendations and repair of a cavity curtain wall. In the summary it was emphasized, that expert experience gained on many examples of differently damaged buildings, under the supervision of a person with experience is necessary for theoretical knowledge to be verified, and the reports were prepared without any faults.

Use of TLS (LiDAR) for Building Diagnostics with the Example of a Historic Building in Karlino

“…These objects, which are usually under the care of the monuments' conservator, require special attention due to their historical relevance. The majority of analyses of existing structures are based on visual inspection, searching for visible cracks on the walls or slabs and others [1][2][3][4]. In some cases, special equipment is used, including sclerometers, ultrasonic emitter, radar or other non-destructing material testing methods [5][6][7][8].…”

Diagnostics of Concrete and Steel in Elements of an Historic Reinforced Concrete Structure

“…Periodic inspections of existing buildings, as well as renovation or modernisation works and even planned demolition works, require appropriate diagnostic tests [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. In standard periodic inspections aimed at assessing the technical condition of the facility, the procedures for carrying out such tests are governed by relevant regulations, e.g., construction law in Poland [ 4 ].…”

“…However, in other cases, especially when it comes to examinations after a construction failure or due to the desire to change the existing utility function of the facility (despite the existing general recommendations), it is necessary to approach a given case individually and prepare an original program of diagnostic tests. Particular attention should be paid to the research of historic buildings, in which any invasive work interfering with the structure of the elements is often prohibited [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In such situations, it is usually necessary to use non-destructive or semi-destructive methods [ 1 , 3 , 8 ].…”

“…Particular attention should be paid to the research of historic buildings, in which any invasive work interfering with the structure of the elements is often prohibited [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In such situations, it is usually necessary to use non-destructive or semi-destructive methods [ 1 , 3 , 8 ].…”

“…Carefully considered diagnostic tests allow verification of the data contained in historic project documentation or obtained on the basis of an analytical model [ 2 , 3 , 7 , 12 ]. Based on appropriately selected and performed diagnostic tests, it is possible to develop reliable expertise indicating the causes of possible damage.…”