Analysing existing structures: a brief introduction

The article explores ways to justify reuse of existing structures through a thorough understanding of the original building structure, and engineer’s intent.

Fiona Cobb presents a brief guide to the key desk research required to understand the types of construction, likely structural capacities and latent defects of an existing building.

This article describes the structural reuse and strengthening strategies adopted to enable three additional storeys to be added to an existing office building in London.