In recent years, there has been a growing demand to assess existing building structures. This is due to sustainability objectives to keep and renovate existing buildings, as well as the Building Safety Act requirement to assess some 12,500 existing higher-risk buildings. Many existing structures do not meet current code requirements, and therefore, safety needs to be assessed.
Traditionally, the assessment process has been a matter of judgment, but this increased demand has highlighted the need for a consistent and objective risk-based approach. Building on historical and recent guidance, Arup and the Institution have developed a state-of-the-art structural assessment tool. The tool allows existing structures to be mapped against accepted risk criteria using reliability theory to give a measure of safety.
The tool is introduced by Andrew Lawrence and Andrew Smith of Arup, who have led its development. They explain the theoretical basis of the tool and how it can be used. Andrew Rolf, a specialist in existing buildings, discusses its value to practising engineers and how it can be applied.
This lecture discusses the following key topics:
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the key differences in approach between assessing and designing building structures
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the theoretical basis of the tool: reliability, ALARP risk assessment frameworks
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how the tool consolidates existing work
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how to use the tool and how it fits in the overall structural safety assessment
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how the tool can be applied in practice