Major Causes of Structural Failure

Major Causes of Structural Failure

Major Causes of Structural Failure

Cause	Description
Poor Design	Inadequate structural analysis, incorrect load calculations, failure to consider wind, seismic, or dynamic loads, and improper material selection.
Substandard Construction	Poor workmanship, improper curing, incorrect reinforcement detailing, welding/jointing issues, and violation of construction codes.
Inferior Materials	Use of low-quality or expired materials, leading to reduced strength and durability.
Foundation Failure	Poor soil conditions, inadequate soil investigation, differential settlement, excessive soil movement, and poor drainage.
Overloading	Placing excessive loads beyond design limits, adding extra floors or heavy equipment without reinforcement.
Environmental Factors	Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, corrosion due to moisture or chemicals, and thermal expansion causing cracks.
Poor Maintenance	Lack of regular inspections, ignoring small cracks or deformations, and delaying necessary repairs.
Human Errors & Negligence	Design miscalculations, lack of expert supervision, ignoring safety measures, and non-compliance with regulations.
Aging & Material Deterioration	Natural wear and tear, fatigue failure due to repeated loading cycles, and degradation of materials over time.