Your Safety is Our Priority
Structural Audit is an overall health and performance check-up of the structure to find out the safety and stability of the structure. It is an important tool for knowing the real health status of the structures.
Older structures tend to reduce strength and stability over time. Continuing to use deteriorated structures may endanger lives, so appropriate actions must be taken to improve performance and restore functionality.
As per bye-law no 77 of the co-op housing society, a structural audit is conducted for buildings aging between 15 to 30 years once every 5 years, and for buildings over 30 years, once every 3 years.
Structural audit is conducted in 3 stages: 1) Visual inspection 2) Tapping Test 3) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
Structural audit includes thorough inspection of the structure internally as well as externally and conducting non-destructive testing.
A structural audit report details the health and present condition of the structure.
NDT stands for Non-Destructive Tests, which help us determine the quality and strength of structural members without causing damage.
Generally, a minimum of two tests are conducted. Depending on the condition of the structure, the number of tests may increase.
The engineer finalizes the tests after inspecting the structure. Rebound hammer and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity tests are conducted by default. Additional tests like half-cell potentiometer and carbonation tests may be conducted based on findings.
To predict the life of the structure, a structural audit must be carried out at least twice.
For buildings aging between 15 to 30 years, the validity is 5 years, while for buildings over 30 years, it is 3 years.
The structure should be audited before and after monsoon to assess the weathering effects.
Yes, it is necessary.
Post-audit work includes repairs and retrofitting of the structures suggested in the audit report.
Retrofitting is strengthening the structural members that are weak to carry the designed load.
Repairs and retrofitting are necessary to increase the life and serviceability of the structure.
A preferential letter is a tool that helps conduct post-audit work like repair and retrofitting in a preferential and sequential manner.
To achieve maximum beneficial results at an optimal cost, the preferential letter should be followed.
