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This 4-part Digest gives guidance to professional engineers on the structural appraisal of existing buildings, including making a structural appraisal for a material change of use.

Part 1 considers the overall regulatory requirements, and in particular the disproportionate collapse issues associated with Requirement A3 of the Building Regulations Approved Document A: Structure.

Part 2 introduces structural appraisal, and discusses the factors that might influence the outcome of an appraisal, and what might be involved in preparing for it.

Part 3 describes structural appraisal procedures and looks in detail at the process of structural appraisal: at the steps involved and at the levels of activity.

Part 4 provides additional coverage on sources of information; on the characteristics of materials; on defects, deterioration and damage mechanisms (physical, chemical, biological, electrochemical and electromagnetic); and on through-life management in a low-carbon future (refurbishment of existing buildings, timing of decisions, through-life value, sustainability)