Structural Condition Assessment


Book Description

In Structural Condition Assessment, editor-in-chief Robert T. Ratay gathers together the leading people in the field to produce the first unified resource on all aspects of structural condition assessment for strength, serviceability, restoration, adaptive reuse, code compliance, and vulnerability. Organized by the four main stages of a structural evaluation, this book provides an introduction to structural deterioration and its consequences, the business and legal aspects of conducting an evaluation, initial survey and evaluation techniques for various structures, and specific tests for five of the most common structural materials (concrete, steel, masonry, timber and fabric.)




Sustainability Guidelines for the Structural Engineer


Book Description

The Sustainability Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineer s Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE SEI) prepared these guidelines to advance the understanding of sustainability in the structural community and to incorporate concepts of sustainability into structural engineering standards and practices. This book will educate and guide structural engineers as they meet the challenge to design and construct a sustainable built environment. The guidelines are organized into five sections: Sustainable Design and Construction, Sustainable Strategies, Building Materials, Infrastructure, and Case Studies. Although many of the subjects presented are related, each section and the related subsections have been written to stand alone, allowing this report to be used as a practical reference. This report was written for structural engineers, but related disciplines will also benefit from the contents. The book includes an important section on infrastructure because, many of the concepts and ideas presented in this guide relate to infrastructure, as well as design and construction.




Condition Assessment of Aged Structures


Book Description

Any structural system in service is subject to age-related deterioration, leading to potential concerns regarding maintenance, health & safety, environmental and economic implications. Condition assessment of aged structures is an invaluable, single source of information on structural assessment techniques for marine and land-based structures such as ships, offshore installations, industrial plant and buildings. Topics covered include: - - Current practices and standards for structural condition assessment - - Fundamental mechanisms and advanced mathematical methods for predicting structural deterioration - - Residual strength assessment of deteriorated structures - - Inspection and maintenance of aged structures - - Reliability and risk assessment of aged structuresProfessionals from a broad range of disciplines will be able to gain a better understanding of current practices and standards for structural condition assessment or health monitoring, and what future trends might be. - Single source of information on structural assessment techniques for marine and land-based structures - Examines the residual strength and reliability of aged structures - Assesses current practices covering inspection, health monitoring and maintenance










Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel


Book Description

This book provides the means for a better control and purposeful consideration of the design of Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS). It deploys a detailed categorization of AESS and its uses according to design context, building typology and visual exposure. In a rare combination, this approach makes high quality benchmarks compatible with economies in terms of material use, fabrication methods, workforce and cost. Building with exposed steel has become more and more popular worldwide, also as advances in fire safety technology have permitted its use for building tasks under stringent fire regulations. On her background of long standing as a teacher in architectural steel design affiliated with many institutions, the author ranks among the world‘s best scholars on this topic. Among the fields covered by the extensive approach of this book are the characteristics of the various categories of AESS, the interrelatedness of design, fabrication and erection of the steel structures, issues of coating and protection (including corrosion and fire protection), special materials like weathering steel and stainless steel, the member choices and a connection design checklist. The description draws on many international examples from advanced contemporary architecture, all visited and photographed by the author, among which figure buildings like the Amgen Helix Bridge in Seattle, the Shard Observation Level in London, the New York Times Building and the Arganquela Footbridge.




Finite Element Analysis for Building Assessment


Book Description

Existing structures represent a heterogeneous category in the global built environment as often characterized by the presence of archaic materials, damage and disconnections, uncommon construction techniques and subsequent interventions throughout the building history. In this scenario, the common linear elastic analysis approach adopted for new buildings is incapable of an accurate estimation of structural capacity, leading to overconservative results, invasive structural strengthening, added intervention costs, excessive interference to building users and possible losses in terms of aesthetics or heritage values. For a rational and sustainable use of the resources, this book deals with advanced numerical simulations, adopting a practical approach to introduce the fundamentals of Finite Element Method, nonlinear solution procedures and constitutive material models. Recommended material properties for masonry, timber, reinforced concrete, iron and steel are discussed according to experimental evidence, building standards and codes of practice. The examples examined throughout the book and in the conclusive chapter support the analyst’s decision-making process toward a safe and efficient use of finite element analysis. Written primarily for practicing engineers, the book is of value to students in engineering and technical architecture with solid knowledge in the field of continuum mechanics and structural design.







Stability of Buildings


Book Description