Causes for Structural
Deterioration + Failure
Extreme weather, soil movement, water infiltration, thermal changes, environmental factors, overloading, aging, improper maintenance, and material defects can all lead to compromised structural integrity.
When any force acts on a building, that force becomes a load to the structure. Some structural loads can cause stress, deformation, and displacement that may result in damage or even failure depending on the building’s specific design, use, location, and construction materials (steel, concrete, wood, masonry etc.).
When integrity is lost, damage and failure can occur in either a structural component or the entire structure itself if it loses its load-carrying capacity.
