Understanding Building Failures

This third edition of Bill Ransom's classic short textbook provides a solid introduction to the study of defects in buildings and, in consequence, to good practice in conservation and repair. Building failures continue to occur despite continuing experience and growing knowledge in the industry; they may even be on the increase due to cost-cutting measures, the inadequate testing of innovative products and techniques, a lack of maintenance, and user abuse and misuse. New material includes an outline of the principles of building pathology; new sections on deterioration mechanisms, service life prediction and dampness investigation. Complete with a handy glossary and bibliography, practitioners and students will find this an excellent source of guidance and information for investigating and avoiding building failures.

This third edition of Bill Ransom's classic short textbook provides a solid introduction to the study of defects in buildings and, in consequence, to good practice in conservation and repair. Building failures continue to occur despite continuing experience and growing knowledge in the industry; they may even be on the increase due to cost-cutting measures, the inadequate testing of innovative products and techniques, a lack of maintenance, and user abuse and misuse. New material includes an outline of the principles of building pathology; new sections on deterioration mechanisms, service life prediction and dampness investigation. Complete with a handy glossary and bibliography, practitioners and students will find this an excellent source of guidance and information for investigating and avoiding building failures.

This classic textbook provides a solid introduction to the study of defects in buildings and, subsequently, to good practice in surveying, conservation and repair. With new material on the latest technologies and procedures, and updated lists of further reading for the UK and USA, this remains an excellent companion for practitioners and students alike.

Building defects still continue to plague the construction industry. The lessons learned over the last forty years have not been fully applied. Many new or refurbished buildings still leak or crack. Lack of awareness by designers and installers as to the main mechanisms that trigger such failures remains a problem for the industry. Investigating and rectifying building failures form a major part of building surveyors’ bread and butter work. This book provides guidance on this work for typical residential, commercial and industrial buildings – with advice on how to diagnose a wide range of defects with an emphasis on evidence based practice throughout. It considers both modern and older construction methods, together with new and traditional materials. The particular problems of alteration and renovation work are also discussed. The first four chapters provide information and guidance on the methodology for investigating failures – how to prepare for and conduct an investigation into a building defect and subsequently diagnose its cause in a logical manner. This fourth edition has been updated and expanded to cover the latest diagnostic procedures and research. It also includes Appendices and a new Bibliography, and provides an extensive list of books on building pathology and related topics in the UK and North America. It is essential reading for all students and practitioners interested in building surveying and building conservation.

Failures do not distinguish or target specific projects. Buildings, large or small and public works of all kinds can experience failures of an assortment of types. Even on a large project, the smallest of items can lead to an unexpected and catastrophic event. Failures have been found in all types of buildings. We have seen failures in buildings built any time over the last 25 years, some as recently as the last couple of years. Failures and defects are common phenomena in construction industry. Negative impacts may arise towards cost, duration and resources of project. Failures and defects can cause unnecessary expenditure and delays. Faulty construction has been the most important cause of structural failure. They are also generating controversies among parties involved. Furthermore, if this situation is left unanswered and untreated, it will lead to more serious problems in the future of construction projects. Recent failures of storage bins, silos and other structures highlight the need to increase awareness of hazards associated with these structures.This book "Understanding Building Failures" covers state of the art information on all aspects of building failures related to structural, architectural and MEP systems failures. It is aimed to identify contribution factors to building defect and failures, which frequently occur in construction project especially in order to minimize time and cost involved, with possible solutions to common buildings failures. Building failures and collapses in recent times have become front burner issue in the built environment. When the incidence becomes incessant, both the industry and stakeholders' reputation is at stake. Hence, this book sought to determine the reputational effect of building failure/collapse on the values, integrity of industry's professionals. Studies show that incessant building failure and collapses demarket the values and integrity of industry professionals; portrays building industry as corrupt due to sharp practices of some of its immoral elements.

About the reasons for structural collapse, including earthquakes, metal fatigue, and terrorism.

In recent years building failures and the resulting lawsuits and awards for damages have frequently been in the news. The biggest headlines may have been reserved for structural failures and complete collapses, but we should not forget the less newsworthy failures such as leaky roofs, damp walls, dropped foundations and rotted timber. This book gives practical guidance on the prevention of failure by describing the nature and cause of the most common defects in buildings, and then shows how they should be avoided in design and construction.

Argues that failures in structural engineering are not necessarily due to the physical design of the structures, but instead a misunderstanding of how cultural and socioeconomic constraints would affect the structures.