Condition Assessment of Buildings

There are many different types of structural condition assessments of buildings, depending on the circumstances and the objective of the client. The assessments can vary widely in terms of their scope, the level of detail and their comprehensiveness. However, some types of inspections are reoccurring. This paper presents the most common types of structural condition assessments that are performed on buildings or on portions of buildings. It includes the purposes of the assessments, common problems, methodologies, and strategies for performing a high quality assessment. The principles presented apply to all types of buildings, including steel construction, reinforced concrete, high-rises, and industrial facilities. As a case study, the application of these principles to the buildings surrounding the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attack are presented.