ABSTRACT
There are many similarities between structural investigations and geotechnical site investigations and indeed a geotechnical site investigation may also be required. For existing structures, desk-based research is a complex issue as there are many possible avenues that may be explored. For engineered buildings there will have been working drawings produced for fabrication and construction. For concrete structures it is important to know what is inside the concrete, which in the absence of original drawings, clearly presents problems. The objective of a structural investigation is to obtain physical information about the existing structure of a building. The structural assessment part of the structural appraisal report will identify load paths in the existing building; identify the type and strength of the structural materials used, and pinpoint parts of the existing structure that need strengthening or repair. One of the most unusual structural interventions was the construction of a new theatre in-the-round inside the Royal Exchange in Manchester, a Northern English city.
