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- Overstress from additional long-term dead loads, such as
multiple layers of roofing material, is one of the primary causes of
structural failure.
- Water and other natural elements play a big part in construction
materials to fail.
- The addition of dead loads, not included in the original design,
such as air conditioning
or mechanical equipment, suspended ceilings & light fixtures, crane
tracks, fire sprinkler systems, etc.
- Imperfections in beam fabrication, defects in timber, glue
failures between laminations, and joint failures
- Exposure to chemicals, extreme heat and moisture
- Lumber fatigue due to age
- Seismic loads
- Improperly installed mechanical equipment
- Oversights in original design
- Poor soil conditions
- Concrete poured in layers not in a monolithic pour
The cause of the structural failure in the picture above
is from no rebar and the concrete wall under the cracks in the stairs is
not wide enough. These problems occur and sometimes create unrepairable
damage. Which would mean demolition of the stairs and rebuilding. In
most cases you will be able to repair minor damage like this stair way.
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