The reasons for carrying out a dilapidation survey (or building audit) are broad. They can include reasons for justification, basis of comparison, or decision-making for the following scenarios:

• Purchasing of properties
• Upgrading, refurbishment, structure alteration
• Change in use/activity
• Identifying defects due to poor design or construction method
• Deterioration with time and or service
• Assessment of fire damage or other accidental damage
• To ensure safety/serviceability of use (for new development)
• Buildings with symptoms of distress(es)
  
  

There are short-term and long-term benefits in carrying out a dilapidation survey:-

Short-Term Benefits

• Indication of safety & stability of the building & structure
• Indication of deterioration, defects or damages of the building and structure
• Appropriate recommendation for repair works

Long-Term Benefits

• Proper schedule and control of inspection work
• Better control of maintenance input for various buildings
• Proper documentation of maintenance requirements
• Easier preparation of maintenance contracts
• Illustrates the effects of executed maintenance
• As a framework for interpreting maintenance cost

Classification of Properties

• Residential
• Commercial/Business Premise
• Industrial/Factories
• Educational/Institutional
• Other Special Properties:- Hotels & Resorts, Hospitals, Schools, Silos, Palaces, Airports, Towers and Reservoirs

A condition assessment appraisal is a process that involves a detailed check on a structure (be it a building, bridge, tower, etc.) to determine the causes of structural problems such as defects, distresses or damages.


Typical problems that can occur in a structure or building:

• Crack
• Spalling
• Void/honeycombing
• Erosion
• Basement leaks
• Fire damage/chemical attack
• Rebar corrosion/steel 
corrosion
• Structural alteration
• Understrength concrete
• Increase in loading
• Underprovision of rebars
• Ground settlement/lateral 
movement
• Chloride attack
• Carbonation
• Structural failure/damage
• Water penetration

The typical assessment or appraisal process usually involves the following steps:

• Review of available information (i.e. drawings, records, etc.)
• Visual inspection & mapping of distresses
• In-situ & laboratory testing works
• Compilation and evaluation of all test results
• Carry out assessment & selection of best remedial method
• Recommended for rectification/rehabilitation work
• Cost estimate for rehabilitation work

Vertitech's scope of condition assessment services include:

• Inspection, survey, recording
• Material sampling
• Lab testing
• Insitu testing
• Monitoring
• Structural analysis

Typical Problems

• Cracks
• Spalling
• Void/honeycombing
• Erosion
• Basement leakage
• Fire damage/chemical attack
• Rebar corrosion

Typical Repair Methods

• Epoxy injection
• Polyurethane grouting
• Shortcrete/gunite
• Prepacked pressure grouting
• Form & cast-in-place grouting
• Hand applied patch repair
• Overlay repair

• Structural alteration
• Understrength concrete
• Increase in loading
• Underprovision of rebars
• Ground settlement/Lateral movement

Typical Repair Methods

• Steel plate bonding/steel strengthening
• Carbon fibre reinforced polymer
• Manomer impregnation
• Enlargement of sections
• External pre-stressing
• Underpinning

Utilising LiDAR scanning technology, Vertitech is able to perform accurate 3D surveys to digitalise as-built assets — retroactively providing critical building data that can be integrated into Building Information Modelling (BIM) solutions. This provides significant benefits in the area of Facilities Asset Management (FAM).

LiDAR — an acronym of 'light detection and ranging', or 'laser imaging, detection and ranging' — is a method for determining ranges (variable distance) using lasers. LiDAR is used extensively to make accurate digital 3D representaions of the earth's surfaces, with applications in surveying, geodesy, seismology and more. It is currently one of the the key technologies used in the control and navigation of autonomous cars today.