This service answers
“Is anything wrong with my building, and how urgent is it?”
You receive: Structural audit report with condition rating, findings, photographs and prioritised recommendations
An engineer's view of a building in use
A structural assessment, sometimes called a structural audit, answers a practical question: is this building performing as it should, and if not, what needs attention first? It is the right starting point when you have a concern but do not yet know whether a full Detailed Engineering Assessment is needed.
Typical reasons for an assessment
- Cracks in columns, beams, slabs or walls, especially diagonal or widening cracks
- Rust staining or spalling concrete, common in humid and coastal areas
- Sagging floors, doors that jam, or signs of uneven settlement
- Buying, selling, leasing or insuring a property
- Periodic safety review of a factory, hospital, school or high-occupancy building
- Damage after fire, flood, impact or an earthquake
What the assessment includes
- Review of available drawings, approvals and maintenance records.
- Visual inspection of the structure, floor by floor, with crack mapping and photographs.
- Targeted tests where needed: rebound hammer, cover meter, carbonation depth or a limited number of cores.
- Checks of the most critical members against the loads they carry today.
- A report that rates the condition, explains the causes of any distress, and lists actions by urgency: immediate, short term, and planned maintenance.
Clear outcomes
Most buildings need only targeted repair and maintenance. Some need a deeper investigation, and a few need immediate load restrictions or propping. Our report says which, in plain language, so you can decide with confidence. Where strengthening is required, see building strengthening.
Questions owners ask
Is a structural audit the same as a DEA?
No. An audit focuses on condition and the most critical members, and is quicker. A DEA tests materials across the building and analyses every member. An audit often tells you whether a DEA is needed.
Which cracks are serious?
Diagonal cracks, cracks in columns and beams, cracks that grow over time and cracks with rust staining deserve an engineer's attention. Fine plaster shrinkage cracks are usually harmless.
Can you assess a building after a fire?
Yes. Fire can reduce concrete and steel strength. We combine inspection, testing and analysis to decide what can be kept, what must be repaired and what must be replaced.