Structural failures do not always lead to a building collapsing but can result in the displacement of people and costly repairs or litigation. Structural failures are usually the result of a natural disasters, changes in geography, the age of the structure, maintenance conditions, construction errors, material defects, or design errors and omissions. Even though it is rare, complete building collapses do occur globally and can result in fatalities.
Although structural failure can result in tragedy, the good news is catastrophic structural failure can often be prevented. With the exception of natural disasters or rapid changes in geography, a structural forensic inspection can identify issues and their origins before they become life-threatening. Usually, visible signs of structural distress go unacknowledged and evolve into structural failure, discussed in more detail below. Forum Forensics has the experience to proactively detect and identify issues before major structural failures.
Causes of Structural Failure
Structural failure happens when the load-carrying capacity of a building or component is lost. As previously stated, there are many causes of structural distress or failure.
- Natural Disasters - weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes can cause catastrophic structural damage.
- Changes in Geography- rapid changes in land mass, such as sinkholes, landslides, or coastal erosion, can jeopardize the integrity of a structure.
- Age of the Structure - the lifespan of a building is between 30 to 50 years before needing major renovation. As the structure approaches the end of its lifespan, the risk of structural failure increases. Read more about aging buildings and state-required milestone inspections here.
- Maintenance Condition - Maintenance is required to preserve structural integrity as a building ages and is exposed to natural elements. Everyday maintenance issues like stucco cracking or weathered window and door seals can lead to more serious structural problems.
- Construction Errors - Installation errors or misapplication of products can lead to consequential structural damage. Even though building inspections are required throughout construction, construction errors can be inconspicuous and present themselves once the building is occupied.
- Material Defects - Occasionally, construction materials and products can harm structural integrity or the occupant. Like construction errors, product defects often do not make themselves known until later, even with rigorous product testing and approvals.
- Design Errors & Omissions - Structural failure sometimes results from inaccurate design or engineering calculations. If engineering loads are not accurately calculated, the structure can be too heavy, causing the entire building or individual components to fail. Architecural or design flaws can result in damage that leads to structural stress such as water intrusion.
Failures can be avoided by adhering to design standards, implementing quality control in construction, conducting regular inspections, and keeping up with maintenance and repairs.
Identifying Structural Failure
A proactive way to prevent the complete failure of a structure is to remedy the signs of distress before a collapse occurs. You can often tell if a building is unstable by its appearance or the way it "feels." Some visible signs of a failing structure include but are not limited to:
- Shaking, vibration, or leaning of the structure
- Sticking or crooked windows and doors
- Bulging or leaning walls
- Sagging roofs and roof leaks
- Uneven floors
- Cracks in the walls or ceiling
- Soil pulling away from the building
- Crumbling concrete/brick
- Damp subfloor
- Mold
In other instances, structural failure may not be visible to the eye, which is why it is beneficial to have a structural engineer inspect the property. Being proactive can help save on the costs of future repairs and prevent displacement.
Why identifying the origin of structural failure is important
When occupants and users are facing structural issues, many times there is a rush to "fix" the immediately visible problems, but finding the root of the problem is essential to providing long-lasting solutions. Unresolved issues can ultimately lead to catastrophic consequences that can affect lives, property damage, and have negative economic implications. For example, in 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed, and it was initially discovered it was due to construction failure. The cable band had loosened and broken more than 50 structural cables. After a detailed investigation, it was determined the loss occurred due to random turbulent wind. The wind created a wind tunnel in the deck which was too light, and the side spans were too long compared to the center span.
This event changed leading-edge bridge design and gave engineers new knowledge on the dynamic effects of wind forces and ways to prevent failures in the future. Safety concerns and the overall well-being of patrons are the reasons to identify any fault in a structure before it’s too late. The investigation and analysis of structural failures play a crucial role in understanding underlying reasons for failures, helping in addressing specific issues, and avoiding similar mistakes in the future.
Our Approach
Discovering a structural failure can be alarming, but our team will be with you every step of the way. This means our team can provide investigations at the first signs of structural distress or provide forensic investigations after a structural failure has occurred. Structural failures sometimes result in litigation; our team can also help with that through our expert witness services.
Our team at Forum Forensics is ready to assist you with all inspection and investigation needs. Don’t wait till it is too late and request an investigation today, REQUEST FORM- FORUM FORENSICS.
Cited:
Tacoma Narrows Bridge history - Bridge - Lessons from failure (wa.gov)
