Inspection and diagnosis
The knowledge obtained from these actions is fundamental for defining solutions and strategies of sustained intervention and of minimal impact, effectively directed towards overcoming the structural weaknesses.
NCREP carries out inspections and diagnosis actions on buildings. Although these appear to have different objectives, they are in fact complementary and, in the work of NCREP, ideally inseparable.
Inspection corresponds to the stage of geometric and material survey and characterisation of the structure and its constituent elements, and to damage mapping, in particular of damage of a structural nature.
Diagnosis is based on the information obtained in historical research and in the course of the inspection and is concerned with evaluating the importance and extent of existing problems and determining the causes of these, characterising the current state of conservation and the safety of structural elements.
In carrying out Inspection and Diagnosis actions, NCREP uses multiple complementary methods of analysis, particularly on-site tests, which complement visual inspection. These methods are supplemented by other types of tools, namely numerical simulation and laboratory testing, which are used as required by the complexity and/or other constraints of the work.
The knowledge obtained from these actions is fundamental for the definition of sustained solutions and intervention strategies, with minimal action, effectively directed towards bridging the weaknesses of the constructions. This approach requires knowledge of the behavior of the materials involved and experience in using and interpreting the results of numerical and experimental tools on the part of the technicians involved.