Condition rating of RC structures: A case study

Abstract

A condition rating method proposed for the assessment of existing reinforced concrete frame structures is applied to the case study of an industrial building suffering from corrosion damage. The observation of both the chemical-physical and mechanical deterioration is connected to the understanding of the hierarchy of the structural elements in the load path. Condition rating is used to evaluate a strength deterioration factor for the verifications of beams and columns; the results are compared with those obtained by assessing the safety of the elements using the Limit State method with the measured mechanical properties and reduced cross-sections. The results of the case study show that the method provides an analysis of the deterioration and its causes, with a conservative measure of the residual strength; this makes it a useful tool for the preliminary assessment of deteriorating structures. © 2007 PALGRAVE MACMILLAN LTD.