Page 309 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

9.20 CAUSES OF FAILURES

Proximate cause. A procedural or a technical cause of failure which is deemed to be the
most significant factor in producing a specific effect.
Rehabilitate. Extensive maintenance intended to bring a property or building up to cur-
rent acceptable condition, often involving improvements.
Renovate. Make new; remodel.
Repair. To restore an item to an acceptable condition by the renewal, replacement or
mending of distressed parts.
Replaceable. Easily exchanged building components or equipment. Usually, replaceable
components have a design life that is shorter than the life of the structure they occupy.
Restore. To bring an item back to its original appearance or state.
Service life. The period of time after installation during which all properties of a compo-
nent or system actually exceed the minimum acceptable values when routinely maintained.
Stress factor. A degradation factor resulting from loads on a system, either sustained or
periodic. 3
Use factor. A degradation factor resulting from design, installation, maintenance, wear
and tear, and user abuse. 3
Weathering factor. A degradation factor associated with the natural environment. 3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author would like to express his appreciation to Andrea E. Surovek, Ph.D., P.E.,
Associate Professor of the Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, South
Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Dr. Surovek contributed significant portions of
an earlier edition of this chapter when it was published in a previous book.

REFERENCES

1. AISC (2000), Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges, American Institute of
Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, IL, p. 54.
2. Nicastro, D. H., ed. (1998), Failure Mechanisms in Building Construction, ASCE Press, New
York, p. 128.
3. Weaver, M. E. (1997), Conserving Buildings Guide to Techniques and Materials, Revised
Edition, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., p. 288.
4. ASTM E632(1998), “Standard Practice for Developing Accelerated Tests to Aid Prediction of the
Service Life of Building Components and Materials,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, PA.
5. SEI/ASCE (1999), ASCE 11-99 Guideline for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing
Buildings, ASCE Press, New York, p. 160.
6. Busel, J. P. and Barno, D. (1996), “Composites Extend Life of Concrete Structures,” Composites
Design and Application, Winter, pp. 12–14.
7. ACI (2003), Manual of Concrete Practice, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI,
p. 5785.
8. Mindless, S., Young, J. F., and Darwin, D. (2003), “Durability,” in Concrete 2d ed., Chapter 18:
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, pp. 477–514.
9. AISC (1999), Commentary on the Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Steel
Buildings, 3d ed., American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, IL.