Title:
ACI Survey of Concrete Structure Errors
Author(s):
John Fraczek
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
1
Issue:
12
Appears on pages(s):
14-20
Keywords:
concrete construction; failure; inspection;
quality control; structural design; surveys.
DOI:
Date:
12/1/1979
Abstract:
Two hundred and seventy-five cases of errors in concrete structures were reported in a survey of consulting engineers and government agencies in North America conducted by ACI Committee 348. The survey indicated that about three-quarters of the errors were actually detected by the structure, with 39 cases of collapse and 172 cases of distress, cracking, spalling, leakage, settlement, deflection, or rotation reported. About one-half the errors originated in the design and the other half occurred during construction, with each phase responsible for about the same number of collapses. Of the errors due to faulty construction, nearly three-quarters were detected during construction and over one-half resulted in failure or distress. Most design errors, however, were detected during occupancy and most resulted in serviceability problems. The survey only reported 11 errors detected prior to construction, with about 60 percent detected during construction and the remaining 40 percent detected during occupancy.