Assessment of Building Defects

Assessment of Building Defects 1
ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING DEFECTS
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Assessment of Building Defects 2
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................3
2. Identification and description of defect............................................................................................3
2.1. Concrete spalling.......................................................................................................................3
2.2. Dampness....................................................................................................................................4
3. Symptoms of the defect.....................................................................................................................6
3.1. Concrete spalling.......................................................................................................................6
3.2. Dampness....................................................................................................................................6
4. Data related to the defect..................................................................................................................6
4.1. Concrete spalling.......................................................................................................................6
4.2. Dampness....................................................................................................................................7
5. Desirable testing.................................................................................................................................8
5.1. Concrete spalling.......................................................................................................................8
5.2. Dampness....................................................................................................................................9
6. Likely causes of the defect...............................................................................................................10
6.1. Concrete spalling.....................................................................................................................10
6.2. Dampness..................................................................................................................................10
7. Implications and risks of the defect................................................................................................10
7.1. Concrete spalling.....................................................................................................................10
7.2. Dampness..................................................................................................................................11
8. Remedial measures..........................................................................................................................12
8.1. Concrete spalling.....................................................................................................................12
8.2. Dampness..................................................................................................................................13
9. Conclusion and Recommendations.................................................................................................14
References................................................................................................................................................16

Assessment of Building Defects 3
1. Introduction
Building defects are very common in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The
defects can occur in either old or new buildings (Bakri & Mydin, 2014). These defects have
numerous safety, cost and durability implications. Presence of these defects can affect the normal
functioning of the building because its occupants or visitors will be worried about their safety
(Othma, et al., 2015) and some of the defects even affect the indoor environmental comfort. The
defects are caused by a variety of factors including improper design, use of low quality materials,
poor workmanship and environmental factors, among others. Understanding these defects is very
essential in coming up with prevention or remedial measures. This report presents an analysis of
two building defects. One of the defects is in a residential building while the other is in a
commercial/industrial building. The buildings investigated are in Hong Kong. The analysis
entails description of the defects, symptoms of the defects, data related to the defects, desirable
testing of the defects, possible causes of the defects, implications and risks of the defects, and
suitable remedial measures for the defects. Information contained in this report can be used to
repair similar defects in buildings or prevent these defects from occurring in future building
projects.
2. Identification and description of defect
The two building defects analyzed in this report are concrete spalling and dampness. These are
some of the commonest defects in different types and sizes of buildings in any part of the world.
2.1. Concrete spalling
This is a type of building defect where the concrete surface breaks away and can extend
to and expose the reinforcing bars. The defect usually happens in reinforced concrete structures
but can also occur in natural stone or brick. It can be seen in concrete floors, slabs, columns or

Assessment of Building Defects 4
walls. Occurrence of spalling is driven by moisture entering into the concrete structure. When
moisture enters a concrete structure that is exposed to varying temperatures, the moisture starts
solidifying and expanding. This creates internal pressure on the concrete surface’s top solidified
layer. When this continues over time, the expanded water’s internal pressure together with the
force that is produced by the freeze-thaw cycles causes the top layer of concrete surface to
disintegrate leaving spalls. Spalling concrete usually looks like oval, square, round or irregular
depressions that are created along concrete joints or surfaces. This defect is very common in
regions with cold climates where freeze-thaw cycles occur frequently or where de-icing
chemicals are usually applied on buildings.
Figure 1 below shows photos of the concrete spalling defects identified in the building
Figure 1: Concrete spalling defects
2.2. Dampness
Dampness is unwanted moisture present in a building. The problem in characterized by
building materials becoming damp to a level where they get damaged. This is a building defect
that is mainly characterized by penetration of water into the affected area. It is a very serious
defect that can not only cause structural damage of the building but also make the building
inhabitable because of poor indoor conditions such as high humidity, bad smell and poor air