ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the appraisal of failure patterns and how they can be controlled. It attempts to formulate a strategy for reducing problems, particularly in new construction.
This final chapter is different in nature from those preceding, and, after commenting on failure patterns, suggests reasons why avoidable building failures occur. Such reasons involve consideration of the structure of the industry, the particular problems associated with innovation, and control systems. These essentially “software” aspects of the avoidance of building failures merit as much, and probably more, attention than the “hardware” aspects dealt with already. It is, indeed, probable that the greatest scope for improvement in building performance lies more with the former than the latter. Every type of building contains defects to some degree. The consequences
of such defects may be minor but others are more important and may affect the appearance, value and usage of the building. However, the cost of rectifying or (worse still) not rectifying building defects could be extensive. In more serious instances, they may pose a hazard to health and safety. While there is a considerable consensus of opinion on the technical rea-
sons for failure which, it is believed, has been reflected in the preceding chapters, the “software” aspects are more speculative. The views on these are many and varied. It is hoped that those expressed here will be of some interest and possible value.
