Assessment of existing structures safety tool

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 will be introduced by Andrew Lawrence and Andrew Smith of Arup, who have led its development. They will explain the theoretical basis of the tool and how it can be used. Andrew Rolf, a specialist in existing buildings, will discuss its value to practising engineers and how it can be applied.

This lecture discusses the following key topics:

• the key differences in approach between assessing and designing building structures

• the theoretical basis of the tool: reliability, ALARP risk assessment frameworks

• how the tool consolidates existing work

• how to use the tool and how it fits in the overall structural safety assessment

• how the tool can be applied in practice

Speakers

Andrew Lawrence Arup Fellow & RAEng Visiting Professor, Cambridge University

Andrew is an Arup Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Cambridge University, a Conservation Accredited Engineer, a member of the HSE’s Building Advisory Committee, and a specialist in both existing buildings and also in timber.

Andrew Rolf Health Sector Technical Advisory Lead, Mott MacDonald

Andrew has worked and studied in the field of engineering for the past twenty-seven years. Andrew is Chartered Structural Engineer and a Conservation Registered Engineer (CARES) with significant experience in the restoration and refurbishment of existing buildings. Andrew sits on the Institution of Structural Engineers Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) study group and risk assessment sub-group. He has presented on RAAC to clients teams, surveyors and engineers.

Andrew J Smith Senior Engineer, Arup

Andrew is an expert in existing buildings based in Arup’s Specialist Structural Support team. He has carried out structural safety assessments on a wide range of structures and is helping to develop the IStructE’s guidance.

Lily Erskine Associate, NARRO

Lily is a Structural Engineer at NARRO and is the first and only women in Scotland to achieve Conservation Accreditation (CARE). Lily has spent a decade working with historic buildings and is particularly interested in Cultural Sector projects. Over her career, Lily has led multi-million-pound refurbishments of historic buildings and also, undertaken artefact conservation projects: engineering on a micro-scale. Lily is actively involved in the IStructE and sits on the Regional Committee for Scotland.