This episode explores how building defects have emerged throughout history due to construction methods, material choices, and evolving building use. It highlights how structural engineers must consider long-term durability and adaptability when designing buildings.

Key points include:

• Recurring defects: Construction methods often repeat past mistakes, such as timber posts rotting when embedded in the ground, a lesson ignored from the Iron Age to modern retaining walls.
• Changing building use: Modifications over time, such as adding floors to medieval timber-framed homes or sealing traditional buildings with cement render, often create new structural issues.
• Mathematical analysis: The episode discusses how early engineering calculations, such as those used to stabilise cracks in St. Peter’s Basilica, laid the foundation for modern structural assessments.
• Industrial Revolution impact: The shift from timber-framed to brick structures introduced defects, including embedded timber elements within brick walls, leading to decay and instability.

Ultimately, the episode underscores the importance of understanding historical defects to prevent future structural failures.

Delivered by GC Robertson (GCR) www.gcrobertson.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GC Robertson (GCR) presents the Mastering Building Defects Series, a new podcast designed for architects, construction professionals, and engineers seeking expert insights into structural diagnostics. In this first episode, structural engineering veteran John Davis shares practical knowledge from over 30 years of experience in East Anglia, guiding listeners through the principles of identifying and addressing building defects.

The series offers a structured approach to diagnosing, understanding, and repairing common structural issues, helping professionals apply these insights across residential, commercial, heritage, and industrial projects. Listeners can sign up for free to access all three episodes at their convenience.

This series is brought to you by GC Robertson, Consulting Structural & Civil Engineers with five decades of engineering expertise.

www.gcrobertson.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.