Structural Condition Assessment

All–inclusive, authoritative coverage of structural condition assessment

Editor Robert Ratay gathers a team of leading experts with decades of hands–on experience to present the first comprehensive, unified reference on all aspects of structural condition assessment. In a conveniently organized format, this expert resource is intended to instruct the novice and guide the experienced engineer in performing the condition assessment of structures:

How to recognize the common types, causes, and consequences of defects, degradation, and damage that are found in various structural materials How to organize the assessment project and conduct the inspection How to effectively conduct field examinations and use laboratory tests and analytical evaluations How to report findings and recommendations The business practices and legal aspects you need to know to plan, conduct, and evaluate an assessment for both the consultant and the client

In addition, the most important structural codes and standards from the past to the present are reviewed in relation to old and recent structures, helping the reader locate hard–to–find changes in the codes and standards.

Structural Condition Assessment is the go–to resource that saves practicing engineers, architects, contractors, owners, attorneys, and insurers hours of time in researching information. It is a practical guide for both the novice and the expert in the day–to–day conduct of structural condition assessment.

Preface (Robert Ratay).

PART I. DEGRADATION, SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF STRUCTURES.

Chapter 1. Defects, Deterioration and Durability (David Nicastro and Andrea Maleck)..

Chapter 2. Reliability–based Condition Assessment (Allen Estes and Dan Frangopol)..

PART II. BUSINESS, PRACTICE AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF STRUCTURAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT.

Chapter 3. The Business of Condition Assessment (Antranig Ouzoonian).

Chapter 4. Past and Current Structural Codes and Standards (Cynthia Chabot).

Chapter 5. Legal Aspects of Condition Assessment and Reporting (Howard Ashcraft)..

PART III. SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS.

Chapter 6. Buildings (David Peraza and Eric Stovner).

Chapter 7. Historic Buildings and Monuments (Mark Tamaro and Robert Stocks).

Chapter 8. Building Facades (Kim Beasley and Mark Schmidt).

Chapter 9. Parking Structures (P. Popovic, J. Donnelly and B. Pulver).

Chapter 10. Stadiums and Arenas (Len Joseph, T. Scarangello and G. Thater).

Chapter 11. Bridges (Bojidar Yanev).

Chapter 12. Tensile/Fabric Structures (Tian–Fang Jing and Wesley Terry).

Chapter 13. Broadcast and Transmission Towers (John Windle).

Chapter 14. Foundations and Retaining walls (Robert Day).

Chapter 15       Vulnerability to Malevolent Explosions (Robert Smilowitz and Paul Mlakar).

PART IV. EVALUATION AND TESTING OF STRUCTURAL MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES.

Chapter 16. Concrete (Scott Wolter).

Chapter 17. Steel (Robert Vecchio).

Chapter 18. Masonry (David Transue).

Chapter 19. Timber (Donald Neal).

Chapter 20. Fabric (Wesley Terry and Tian–Fang Jing).

Chapter 21. Field Load Ttesting (Donald Dusenberr).

ROBERT T. RATAY, PhD, PE, is a highly regarded consulting structural engineer in private practice and an adjunct professor at Columbia University. He has four decades of structural design, condition assessment, forensic analysis, and teaching experience with prominent engineering firms and universities, and often serves as an expert consultant to engineers, contractors, owners, attorneys, insurance companies, and government agencies. Dr. Ratay has served on and chaired several technical, review, and advisory committees and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

"Through his selection of guest authors, the Editor has comprehensively covered the diverse topics of modern condition assessment such as building structures and engineers, who wish to learn more about this important part of modern engineering practice, will find that it offers a concise introduction and guide for further study." ( Structure and Infrastructure Engineering; 12/07)

"An increasing proportion of construction involves maintenance, renovation, restoration and adaptive reuse of already–built facilities, rather than new construction. Structural Condition Assessment is a unique and valuable contribution to the engineering literature. It serves as a practical reference for undertaking the evaluations required for successful renovation, restoration and adaptive reuse of existing facilities."
 Kenneth Carper, ASCE (Journal of Constructed Facilities, August 2006)