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CROSS Topic Paper

Structures at the end of their design life

Region: CROSS-UK Published: 1 June 2015


Overview

Design life varies according to the type and use of a structure. A structure should retain fitness for purpose as it approaches and passes its design life or changes use.

We need to avoid the largely unnecessary cost and effort associated with calling for design life assessments for all structures. Major structures with inspection and maintenance programmes and those actively managed and maintained are already largely satisfactorily addressed but would be helped by more design attention to inspection and maintenance.

Note: this Topic Paper was published by SCOSS (Standing Committee on Structural Safety). Since March 2021, SCOSS is integrated under the name Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS).

Who should read this?

Those who are engaged with extending the useful life of buildings and other structures and this is particularly important for environmental reasons. Owners, architects and designers, civil and structural engineers.

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