This document discusses the importance and process of conducting structural audits of buildings. It notes that structural audits are similar to annual health checkups and should be done every 10 years, or every 3 years for residential buildings over 30 years old in Mumbai. The process involves visual examination, non-destructive testing like Schmidt hammer tests, examination and evaluation of test results, and prescription of any necessary repairs or maintenance. Structural audits help maintain the value and safety of buildings through preventative maintenance.

1. The Whys, The Hows of Structural
Audit of Buildings
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Dr. Yogini Deshpande
Principal Consultant
Renuka Consultants
www.renukac.com
022-25823700, 91-9820393773
info@renukac.com

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Why conduct Structural Audit of
Buildings
• Conducting Structural
Audit is similar to Annual
Health Monitoring
• Advisable to do every 10
years
• Mumbai Municipal
Corporation makes it
mandatory every 3 years
for residential buildings
more than 30 years old.

3. Life of Asset
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4. Structural Audit & Health Monitoring
Non Destructive
Testing (NDT), light
tapping
High porosity, low
strength, corrosion
Structural Repair,
Strengthening,
Crack sealing,
Painting
Examination Evaluation Prescription

5. Steps in Conducting Structural Audit
• Examination of Structure by
– Visual Examination
– Non-destructive testing
– Coring / destructive testing
– Laboratory / microscopical observations
– Long-term observation

6. Visual Observation
• Check for Design Loads vs Current Live Loads
• Compare present structure with layout plan
• Crack size
• Crack pattern
• Mapping of Structural crack pattern on
layout plans
• Condition of Foundations
• Check for Settlement
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7. Non-Destructive Testing
• Schmidth Hammer Test
–Gives Strength of Concrete
Surface
• Ultra-Sonic Pulse Velocity
–Gives quality of concrete
• Carbonation
• Corrosion Potential of
Steel
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8. Additional Tests
• Core sampling of In-situ
Concrete
• Laboratory & Microscopical
Observations
–Chloride content
• Long Term Observation
• These tests are carried out only if deemed
necessary depending on health of structure
RENUKA CONSULTANTS

9. Evaluate
• Based on visual observation and test
results
–Note dimension of structure and structural
members as per original plan
–Analyse test results to comment on current
condition of materials used in structure
–Comment on overall health of structure as of
the day
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10. Prescription
• Any major structural repairs necessary for
increasing service life of building
• Maintenance necessary for service life of
building
• A report prescribing habitable and safe
building is desired outcome
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11. Structural Audit
• Timely structural audit aid in maintaining
value of the structure
• A required preventive maintenance tool
for buildings
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