Structural failures come in many forms. In the London area subsidence of foundations in low rise buildings occurs frequently on the clay subsoil during prolonged periods of dry weather. We are often commissioned by private clients and Insurance Companies to investigate the reasons for cracking and distortion in buildings. These investigations can be very lengthy, sometimes leading to underpinning and other structural repairs.
In many cases structural failure can be due to other problems such as shrinkage of materials, thermal expansion and poor construction methods. We often work directly with testing organisations to establish the reasons for damage to have occurred. In Central London there are a number of failures of concrete framed buildings which can require considerable testing, checking and structural repairs.
We are often instructed to execute pre-purchase surveys of buildings in order to establish whether structural failure has taken place and provide a risk assessment for the future.