Learn how to assess the structural safety of existing buildings--with or without the drawings available. This online structural engineering course developed by Professor Metwally explores the structural evaluation of existing concrete structures and how you can conduct a successful assessment even in the absence of drawings. Topics covered in this course include the 3 main reasons why engineers evaluate existing concrete structures and how you can best assess and report on each:

1. Repair/rehabilitation is needed
2. Change in building use/occupancy
3. Sustainable construction

Course Outline

• Preliminary Assessment
• Study of Documents and Visual Inspection
• Preliminary Inspection
• Preliminary Checks
• Decisions on Immediate Actions
• Recommendations for Detailed Assessment
• Detailed Assessment
• Detailed Documentary Search and Review
• Actual Materials Properties
• Determination of Capacity of the Structures
• Structural Analysis using Analytical Models (Finite Element Models)
• Verification
• Results of Assessment
• Report
• Conceptual Design of Construction Interventions
• Control of Risk

Learning Objectives

• Identify which structural parameters and properties to obtain when evaluating the structural performance of existing concrete.
• Understand destructive and nondestructive test methods for sampling and gathering data and how to apply them in practice.
• Conduct a preliminary and more detailed assessment and write a technical report.
• Determine whether or not a structure is structurally safe and the need for structural repair, retrofitting, and demolition.
• Pinpoint industry publications offering guidelines and techniques for obtaining information related to evaluating existing structures.