Types of Building Failures

The building structure is considered to fail when it cannot function properly in terms of both serviceability and durability. Failure in buildings can be either a partial or complete collapse of the structure. Some can be performance failures or sudden failures due to unexpected loadings like fire, wind, or earthquake.

 Condo Building Collapse
Image Courtesy: us.newschant.com

Building failures can be classified into 5 major categories for better understanding. They are:

1. Construction Failure of Building

Construction failures are building failure that occurs when the structure is not constructed in a reasonable workable manner. This could result in the failure of the building. 

When the standard building codes are not followed, numerous defects, including cracks and deformation occurs.

Also Read: How to Identify Serious Wall Cracks?

2. Functional Failure of Building

Functional failure occurs when the building does not perform the function for which it was built. It can cause a threat to the health and safety of the occupants of the building.

It is caused due to design errors, manufacturing errors, installation errors, etc. 

Examples of functional failures are the bad orientation of the building, improper thermal insulation, improper acoustics, inadequate roominess, etc.

3. Structural Failure of Building

These are failures due to the structural degradation of the structure resulting in loss of strength of building elements. These are caused to repeated or unexpected loading or deteriorating agents (physical, chemical, or mechanical) finally resulting in:

• excessive deflection of building
• losing the load-bearing capacity of structural elements and the building

Structural failure starts from the initial straining of the building elements, followed by excessive straining beyond the limit, then cracks or deformation.

4. Service Failure of Building

When the building fails to provide the service for which it was constructed within its service life guaranteed, the building is said to have service failure. The service life of a building is the time from the completion of the structure to the time it is no longer usable due to deterioration.

Service life failure causes due to accidental overloading or exposure to an aggressive environment.

5. Maintenance Failure

Every building requires regular and periodic maintenance. Improper and untimed maintenance results in problems like:

1. Water stagnation
2. Paint peeling
3. Plaster break-off
4. Bacteria growth
5. Loss of reinforcement cover, etc.

Maintenance upkeeps the structure in its present condition and arrests future deterioration.

Also Read: How to Repair Plaster Walls?