Lecturer:

Sr. Dr Suriani Ngah

Abdul Wahab
At the end of the class:

Students are able to understand the

basic definitions in building
pathology

Students are able to understand the

ways to assess buildings

Students are able to identify the

common defects on each of building
elements

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Be observant – use vision

Check quality of materials,

foundation, superstructure, roof,
doors & windows, wall, floor
renderings & finishes, installation
and services, external surrounding

Check related requirements and

guidelines

Use checklist

Use tools & equipments

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Define: Pathology

Defects

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Symptoms

Causes

Prevention

Remedial work

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Poor design

Low quality of workmanship

Building was not constructed

according to design

Factors not allowed for in the

design

These factors may operate

singly or in combination

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} Wear and tear
} Applied forces (ground
movement, traffic
vibration)
} Gasses or liquids
(dampness, chemical
attack)
} Biological agents (rot,
mould, fungi)
} Climate or temperature
} Fire

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Typically undertaken through a series of on-site and
off-site procedures that provide the basic
information on which to make an assessment as to
condition and fitness for purpose.
 Inspect the defects closely

Record the defect by description, measurement, photograph or sketch

drawing

Inspect and examine the construction around the fault for other
indications of the problem (or related defects) – look internally and
externally and at adjacent elements, and check if other hidden parts of
the building could be affected

Ascertain as accurately as possible the exact from of the construction

 Examine construction drawings/specs if available for detailed information on the
Examine fabric of the building

Test defect if applicable (e.g. moisture content, relative humidity, take samples for
Test analysis)

Inspect Inspect hidden areas (e.g. non-destructive survey)

Examine Examine maintenance manual if available

Open up Open up the structure if required

Discuss the problem with the occupants of the building – when was the defect first
Discuss noticed and progressing
} Reference to relevant
published information
(e.g.British Standards, UBBL)
} Consultation with specialists
(after taking further
instructions from client)
} Commissioning more detailed
examination/testing by
specialists (after taking
further instructions from
client)
} Fire precautions
} Publich health
requirements
} Disability access
} Health and safety
issues
} Environmental matters
} Conservation area,
gazetted building and
scheduled monument
concerns)
The various indicators of
building defects:

1. Visual (e.g. staining,

cracking)
2. Physical (e.g.
structural failure)
3. Olfactory (e.g. odours)
4. Aural (e.g. water
hammer)
5. Tactile (e.g. uneven
surfaces)
Consideration of:
1.Statutory obligations

2.Health and safety issues

3.Functional and operational requirements

4.Lease or covenant obligations

5.Rate of deterioration and decay

6.Cost fluctuations

7.Value and utility of building and its facilities

8.Desired or expected standards

9.Running or operational costs

 Covers a collection of techniques that may be used to inspect or observe
materials or elements of construction in place without causing alteration,
damage or destruction to the fabric of the building.

Each technique is able to provide a specific set of measurements or data in

response to known or suspected conditions. This may be for the analysis of
material properties, detection of hidden aspects of construction or sub-
surface anomalies, or the evaluation of performance in use.
 Caliper

USB video inspection

Moisture meter
Infrared/thermographic
camera
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1. A collection of techniques that may be used to inspect or
observe materials or elements of construction in place
with causing alteration, damage or destruction to the
fabric of the building.
2. Each technique is able to provide a specific set of
measurements or data in response to known or
suspected conditions.
3. Tools or techniques that been used such as cutting
pieces of material, drilling, load testing (concrete
hammer), manual hammer tapping
Sample being exposed in the
laboratory and weighing
process being carried out.

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Defect diagnosis requires
collection and
assimilation of all
relevant information, and
reliant upon:
A knowledge
A knowledge of how the use
A knowledge
of the (past, present
of the
behaviour of and future) of
construction
relevant the building
of the
building might affect
building,
materials, the
construction.