Safety First

We all know what is arch and that if a single supporting stone in it is removed the whole arch collapses. When all the stones are in a place the arch withhold tremendous pressure or load put on it. Modern buildings have chain of supporting arches on which the structure stands. Although a typical arch may not be visible in the R.C.C. skeleton, the principal is applied through its design. When there is a structural instability, a portion in a chain moves. This movement may bring down a small part of a structure which in turn may disturb the adjourning part and it goes on and on, till the result is a devastating collapse of a structure, in part or full. It is a cascading effect and when in operation, soon goes beyond the control of a human capacity.

A unique attribute of concrete structure is that it always gives signals before occurrence of a disaster. It is for us to note these signals and take appropriate measures in time to avoid calamity.

There are several reasons for the failure of a structural stability; however some of them can be avoided by proper maintenance of a building from time to time. In this world nothing is permanent; a concrete building is not an exception to the rule. Timely care will cut down expenses on repairs.

Weighing the unnoticed
Let us examine some of the important cautioning factors to prevent building going to a dilapidated condition. The most common of all visual signs is the appearance of cracks. There are various reasons for the occurrence of the cracks on the surface and all cracks are not dangerous. However it is for the experts to decide their intensity after thorough inspection. There are definite patterns and locations of cracks which give the indication of severity of the problem.

A second factor to consider is the rising of the floor tiles or breaking of a marble flooring in a perfect geometrical pattern. The floor tiles show a gradual progress in their rising and also show a definite pattern in uneven flooring.

Another noticeable sign is jamming of window and door shutters. In spite of repairs, the shutters get jammed repeatedly and this jamming is progressive. Slowly it becomes difficult to open or close such shutter, even after applying great force. It is evident in many of the aluminium sliding shutters. Presence of such defect is an indicator of movement in the R.C.C. grid.

A swelling or buckling of a column shows that it is under too much of stress to withhold the pressure put on it and some external support is required to keep it in a place. A downward bend in a beam or slab, termed as sag, is also indicative of a fact that the limits are under test.

Vibrations in a floor slab or feeling of going down while walking on a floor, suggest that all is not well. In such a state, heavy items should be removed from the place and whatever is essential should be placed near to the wall and not in the center of the room. This defect in some cases can be corrected by injecting foaming polymers, which react chemically and increase a lateral stress in a slab to hold it tight. Incase of faulty design, re-casting is advisable.

Continuous fall of sand or deteriorated mortar is not at all a good sign and immediately expert should be called in and rescue measures should be put in practice on war footing.

A stitch in time ………
One should not get panic if he finds that some of the factors mentioned above are present in the building where he is living in. The gravity of problem will differ from case to case. The purpose of highlighting these factors is to focus them, to understand them and to make a move in a right direction at right time, to take the precautionary measures. Because that will be his best move forward in protecting his family and the draining wealth.