Grāmatas par plaisām ēkās

Assessment of damage in low-rise buildings with particular reference to progressive foundation movement

This Digest discusses the assessment and classification of visible damageresulting from structural distortion. The assessment is based on adescription of work considered necessary to repair the building fabric;classification into six categories is recommended, taking into account thenature, location and type of damage.The most common causes of damage are discussed. It is concluded thatfor damage of Category 2 or less, cracking may result from acombination of causes which are difficult to identify and the cost andeffort involved in carrying out an identification would bedisproportionate to the scale of the damage, except for circumstanceswhere the movement is likely to be progressive. It is rare for damage toprogress beyond Category 2; when it does ground movement is usuallythe cause. The various causes of ground movement giving rise to damageare described briefly and emphasis is placed on the identification of conditions where the movement might lead to progressive deterioration.This Digest will assist building professionals, property valuers andinsurance advisors both in putting building damage into its trueperspective and in determining necessary action, either in the form of seeking expert advice or in recommending simple repairs.