Structural Pathology Diagnosis | Engineering Expert in Barcelona

Diagnose Before Acting: The Key to a Successful Intervention

In structural engineering, an incorrect diagnosis inevitably leads to an incorrect solution. Many repairs fail not because of poor execution, but because they were designed to treat a symptom without understanding the true cause of the pathology. Our diagnostic service is designed to prevent exactly that, providing a solid knowledge base on which safe and efficient decisions can be made.

We face the fundamental questions: Why has this crack appeared? How fast is the corrosion advancing? Does this deformation affect the building's safety?

The Most Common Structural Pathologies We Diagnose

Our experience covers the analysis of a wide range of problems affecting concrete, steel, and timber structures. The most common ones are:

Cracking and Fissuring

Not all cracks are the same. We analyze their shape, opening, location, and evolution to determine if they are due to material shrinkage, foundation settlement, overloads, thermal problems, or structural element failures.

Reinforcement Corrosion

It's the "cancer" of reinforced concrete. We diagnose whether the process is due to carbonation (loss of protection by $CO_2$) or chloride attack (more aggressive). We measure the extent of damage and the actual state of the steel to define whether a simple repair or reinforcement is required.

Deformations and Movements

We analyze excessive deflections in beams and slabs, column tilting, or movements in the structure. We evaluate whether these movements have stabilized or are still active, and if they compromise the element's load-bearing capacity.

Material Deterioration

We diagnose problems such as high alumina cement degradation, freeze-thaw cycle degradation, chemical attacks, or rot and insect attack in timber structures.

Our Diagnostic Process: From Evidence to Conclusion

To reach a reliable diagnosis, we follow a rigorous methodology:

1. Background Collection: We study the building's original project, its maintenance history, and any previous interventions.
2. Detailed Visual Inspection: We perform a comprehensive survey of the structure, identifying and mapping all visible symptoms.
3. Testing and Trials (if necessary): We use diagnostic techniques, from core samples to directly observe reinforcement to non-destructive tests such as Schmidt hammer tests, ultrasound, or chemical tests to measure carbonation.
4. Diagnostic Report: We prepare a technical assessment that includes:
   • Detailed description of observed damage.
   • Analysis and conclusion about the pathology's root cause.
   • A risk level assessment for the current structure.
   • Recommendations for actions to take, whether repair, reinforcement, or monitoring plan.

This report is the essential starting point for any future action, ensuring that your investment in repair will be safe and effective.