How to Analyze Existing Buildings

There are at least two reasons why an existing building or structure may require some
analysis. First, where an existing building is showing a sign of distress and there is
consequently, the need to verify its structural integrity. Secondly, where an existing
building is being considered for reuse. The latter is currently at the center of a global
concern – climate change. The embodied carbon of new constructions, is poised to be
responsible, directly or indirectly for 50% of global emissions between now and 2050.
Hence, reusing existing buildings does not only reduce material wastage but also
minimizes embodied carbon.

Existing buildings in the most basic form can be described as any structure which have
being fully or partly constructed, and is already being put to service. In order words,
the assumption is that an existing building must have a functional design, which forms
the basis of its construction, and a considerable amount of implementation must have
been carried out.

As noted in the opener, one of the basic aims of analyzing an existing building is to
justify its potential for reuse, by demonstrating that applied loads do not exceed
calculated resistances. Where a proposal does not increase loads or reduce structural
resistances, then analysis can be deemed unnecessary. The structure is considered
structurally functional under the assumption that it had performed satisfactorily over
an extended period of time. Of course, except the structure is showing signs of distress,
or contains obvious defects, all pointing to the fact that the original structural resistance
may have been compromised.

This article’s focus is on the procedures through which structural engineers may be able
to justify the reuse of existing structures through analysis.

Preliminary Investigations

One of the very essential task, when starting work on an existing building is to conduct
as much investigation as possible into its history.