What does the evaluation of a structure consist of?

Evaluation of a structure should consist of obtaining the necessary and sufficient information that, once interpreted by experts, will allow for a thorough and accurate analysis of the structure.

The evaluation of a structure entails performing several technical activities, such as: locating and examining the existing documentation, inspecting the existing documentation on the structure, inspecting the construction site, recording field data (damage, anomalies or injuries, geometric dimensions, notes on the configuration observed, etc.), taking samples for analysis of the quality of the materials or soil, tests of materials or soil, laboratory tests on these samples, structural analysis through calculation checks, load tests, where appropriate…

However, all these activities can be englobed in three different stages that integrate the evaluation process:

1. Data collection
2. Cause and localization of the damage
3. Future course

Such stages are illustrated in the following table.