What is Structural Integrity?
Structural integrity is an engineering field that helps ensure that either a structure or structural component is fit for purpose under normal operational conditions and is safe even should conditions exceed that of the original design. This includes supporting its own weight, aiming to prevent deformation, breaking and catastrophic failure throughout its predicted lifetime.
Integrity is not just a case of good design; it needs to be maintained for the life of a structure. This requires inspection and maintenance at periodic intervals. Engineers ensure structures are safe, reliable and perform their designed function throughout their lifetime.
Known Causes of Structural Failure?
Structural failure can occur from a range of different sources. The type of failure is often associated with the industry, environment and application of the structure.
The primary reasons for failure are as follows:
Weak structures
The structure is not strong enough to withstand the load to which it is subject. This is usually due to inappropriate geometric design or material choice.
Structural deterioration
The structure deteriorates due to corrosion, fatigue, wear, rot or creep. Fatigue failures often begin when cracks form at regions of high stress. These cracks grow when subject to cyclic loading, resulting in sudden failure. This is usually due to inappropriate geometric design, material choice or maintenance.
Construction defects
This includes using the wrong materials or not following manufacturing procedures or standards. It can also result from poor quality or components being out of tolerance, etc.
Defective material
- The materials don’t conform to standards, resulting in a lower load-bearing capacity than designed.
- Adverse environment not considered during design
- Engineers may neglect mitigating features for certain environmental conditions, such as natural disasters.
- Usage not designed for
- The structure is not used for its intended purpose.
Does Steel Lose Structural Integrity?
Structural steels are used in most large construction projects, such as buildings and bridges, in the form of girders etc. The performance of the steel is vital to maintain the required integrity.
High temperatures are known to weaken steel, which begins to soften at around 425°C and loses about half of its strength at 650°C. At these temperatures, the steel will begin to buckle and twist if subject to high loads, which will impede structural integrity. Design should consider environmental temperature range that a structure will be subject to over its life span.
Inspections and Integrity Tests
Engineers combine an array of considerations into the design process, such as materials performance, stress analysis and fracture mechanics.
- Carry out inspections to identify damage. This might involve the use of non-destructive testing (NDT)
- Check that a structure has been built according to the appropriate designs, procedures and standards
- Check that a structure is being used appropriately for the environment designed for
- Recommend and design modifications to address areas of concern
