Damage (structural)

Structural damage can be caused by a range of factors, including natural disasters, e.g. earthquakes and floods or man-made events, e.g. explosions and fires. Any physical damage or deterioration that occurs to a building, bridge, or other structure that compromises its strength, stability, or integrity is referred to as structural damage. Common types of structural damage include cracks, fractures, buckling, and collapse. Repairs to structural damage involve reinforcing or retrofitting to improve the resistance of the affected structures to future events. This may include the strengthening of existing members, or upgrading the building's foundation and the support system.