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Building Pathology
BUILDING PATHOLOGY
A STATE-OF-THE-ART REPORT
Publication 155
CIB Report
June 1993
0 CIB 1993
Preface
CIB Working Commission W86
from several countries, is essentially concerned with the methodology of investigation of defects and failures of buildings. Its tasks are:to produce and exchange information, to consider technical aspects of defects and failures. and to promulgate improved practices.
Building pathology has many Merent aspects. all of which could merit being
subjects of study on their own. This Report was W e d with the aim of giving state-ofthe-art information concerning those aspects, including their interrelationships. It
is hoped that experts involved with the investigation and prevention of building
defects will profit from the views, opinions and methods described.
The Report is the joint effort of W86s Members. Special thanks are due to the following Members who contributed by delivering substantial Information and/or by
drafting parts of the Report: Mr. Brotherson, Mr. Castrillo Canda. Mr. Groce, Mr.
Gross, Mr. Henshell, Mr. Moroni, Ms. Pinterr.Mr.Tolstoy and Mr. Wintz. Assistance
in the final editing, from W86's former Coordinator. Mr.
acknowledged.
At the date of issuing the Report W86 consisted of the following Members:
Australia: RF. Warner Belgium: J. Ratht; Canada: M. Lincourt, M.Z. Rousseau;
Flnlpnd:T. Sne& France: F. Derrien; Hungary: J. Pint& Ireland K. Spencer; Italy:
S. Groce. F. Lembo. M. Moroni, G. Tortorid, G. TurchM; Mozambique: J. Almeida
Fernandes; New Zealand G. Robertson; Netherlands: A van den Beukel, P.Chr. ?aab;
Portugal: A. Canha da Piedade, J. Ferry Borges, A Ravara; Romania: L. Groll;
Singapore: C. B s e t t ; South Africa: J.A.P. Laurie; Spain: A. Castrillo Canda, F.
Hostalet Alba; Sweden: N. Tolstoy; United Kingdom: D. Bishop, G.K. Cook, H. Gow.
K.H. Murta, W.G. Sparksman. P. Trotman; US& D.E. Brotherson. C.G. Cash. C.T.
Grimm, J.G. Gross. J. Henshell. S.D. Kaplan, J. LQSS.T. Nadel, J.A. Wintz; USSR:B A
Kosicin.
June 1993
Delft. The Netherlands
Contents
PREFACE
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
METHODOLOGY OF INVESTIGATION
Investigation process
Cause determination
Origins of causes
The decay process and maintenance
Risk
Terminology
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
13
14
15
16
21
DATABANKS
Introductory
Advantages and disadvantage
Experiences
Conditions
23
COSTS
Introductory
Cost categories
Data on quality costs
Data on costs of defects
What can be learned from data on costs?
27
27
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
23
23
24
24
27
29
30
31
33
33
33
36
DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
General
Diagostic charts and matrices
Fault trees
5 . 4 Diagnostic trees
5 . 5 Expert systems
41
47
CASES OF FAILURES
6 . 1 Introductory
6 . 2 Defects Information Sheets
6 . 3 Review of failures and defects
39
47
48
61
7
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
7.1 Bibliography - Books
7.2 Journals, proceedings, technical notes, etc.
71
71
73
REFERENCES
77
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
79
81
83
85
87
89
WHAT'S A DEFECT ?
Introduction
Though 'building pathology' may sound new, the treatment of building defects
is surely not a new phenomenon. As early as the year 2200 BC, Hammurabi's
Building Code testifies to rather rigorous punishment in case of building
failures (Figure 1). This illustrates that building pathology is not only
related to defects, but also to matters of liability.
A
B
C
Figure 1. Laws of Hammurabi (from the book Vonstruction Failure" by Jacob Feld, publ.
J. Uiley
function.
Anomaly = an i n d i c a t i o n of a p o s s i b l e d e f e c t .
Though the definitions of 'defect' and 'failure' seem almost identical, they
do not have the same meaning. The term defect implies a shortcoming in respect
of some normative or even perceived standard. But the defect may lead - by
some means - to a situation in which a specific required function cannot be
fullfilled any longer.
A crack in a partition wall can be considered as a defect. It depends on the
functions of the wall and o n , for instance, crack-width whether the wall fails
in performing its required functions.
The type of defect may vary widely; from a minor crack to a major collaps.
Obviously, the latter implies a failure, i.e. the termination of required use.
Also; BP is more than just a science that studies the influencing factors and
the mechanisms of degradation processes in building materials and structures.
Many aspects may be the subject of BP and several relations exist with other
activities in the building field.
Normally, a manifested or supposed defect requires action from a 'building
pathologist'. And, in fact, there are building pathologists who make a living
out of defects. But on a more macro-economic scale, losses due to building
defects are a matter for concern.
From the point of view of interests - i.e. the building pathologist on one
hand and society on the other hand - a distinction between the treatment of
a single case (Figure 2) and the treatment of several types of defects (Figure
3 ) can be made. Figures 2 and 3 together represent the main elements of the
'BP domain'.
jI
FAILURE
!
!
!
!
!
DESCRIPTION OF
I
SEARCH FOR
DEFECT
METHODOLOGY
OF INVESTIGATION
!
!
!
!
!
CAUSE
METHODOLOGY
OF INVESTIGATION
MEASURESOF
IMPROVEMENT
!
!
!
!
i
outputto:
( _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
REMEDIAL MEAS.
PREVENTlAL MEAS.
COSTS
For the sake of completeness, Figure 2 starts with a failure as the possible
consequence of one or more defects. But a s outlined before, defects may occur
without leading to failure.
Assuming that a defect is confirmed by objective signs, the next stage is to
search for cause(s) and for measures that prevent or cure the defect. The way
of handling may vary from a simple observation plus statement to a
consultation of an expert system (if available), or to a more elaborate
investigation.
Whatever the way of handling may be, two matters are important. Firstly a
clear and accurate description of the defect. Secondly a suitable method of
investigation that leads to the most probable cause(s). A suitable methodology
requires relevant expertise and a deducing mechanism. The methodology depends
on the 'case'. The most simple mechanism could be a brief checklist; the most
elaborated one could be the inference mechanism of an expert system. In
between, the use of fault tree analysis can be mentioned.
Building pathology should not only offer information to direct involved
parties - on some specific defect - but also information for matters like
liability and insurance, costs of defects, quality assurance, regulations and
the building community in general. This latest kind of information is
generally given by way of publications, articles, information sheets,
seminars, etc. But it is questionable whether such output is always effective
in preventing defects.
METHODOLOGY
3.
REGISTRATION
METHOD
!
!
!
!
!
It may be stated that a general need for more systematic feedback from
experiences and knowledge exists. Such feedback should preferably be an
8
element of a broader system that encounters several types of defects (Figure
3 ) . This leads to the necessity of collecting, recording and evaluating data,
to cost/benefit analysis and to providing information to involved bodies like:
regulations and code makers, designers, contractors, implementers of quality
assurance systems, insurance companies, planners, etc. Such output can be
quite different for different users of the information. It mainly comprises:
number and/or frequency of several specific defects, actual causes,
characteristics of the degradation process, losses or costs involved and
appropriate remedial and/or preventive measures.
The basis of such a system is formed by a databank. And in fact, several
countries have one or more databanks which records cases of defects. But very
often these banks have limitations with respect to accessability and the
amount and types of recorded cases.