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The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has published Appraising factors of safety in existing engineered structures in response to what it perceives as a growing awareness in the built environment of the importance of structural assessments, either as part of a safety check or to justify adaption.

While there is already a range of literature about how to assess existing structures, IStructE felt that there was a lack of consistent approaches and terminologies, both of which this guide seeks to address.

Written by Arup structural engineers Andrew Smith and Danny Kalokoti the guide offers a three-step method to undertake assessments.

IStructE technical director Patrick Hayes, one of the guide’s contributors, said: “This is a timely publication, especially given the Building Safety Act’s focus on structural safety, and the growing need to extend the life of existing structures, instead of demolishing, so that embodied carbon emissions can be minimised.”

The assessment method’s development focused on six principles: safety, simplicity, consistency, rigour, applicability and objectivity. The resulting approach assesses what safety factors are acceptable when evaluating existing structures with a process to:

1. refine the calculations.
2. reduce partial safety factors to account for greater certainty of loading and strength compared to design situations.
3. consider the severity of overutilisation.

Patrick Hayes concludes: “This clear, three step methodology aims to help engineers assess ‘factors of safety’ and determine acceptability based on established risk criteria. The aim is to avoid unnecessary strengthening or demolition, while also enabling the engineer to identify at-risk structures.”

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