Titel_SS06

In Figure 1.9 it is illustrated when in the course of the projects the failures and errors were
discovered for different types of structures.

0

20

40

60

80

100

Execution

Usage

Retrofit / Disposal

high

rising

building

Industrial

buildings

Traffic

structures

Dams Rest All

cases

3

39

58

62

37

69

29

88

(^1021)
77
58
40
1 2 2 2 2
Type of Construction
Number of samples (^362152755152692)
Figure 1.9: Illustration of when in the course of the projects the failures and errors were discovered
(Matousek and Schneider (1976)).
From Figure 1.9 it is seen that on average the failures and errors were discovered more or less
equally during execution and usage of the structures. Some differences in the distribution
between the different types of structures are evident. One explanation to these differences
may be attributed to the human-structure interaction during the period of operation. Clearly,
industrial structures suffer mostly from failures and errors during the operation, whereas dam
structures, with very little interaction with humans during the operation, experience the largest
part of failures and errors during the period of execution.
In Figure 1.10 the relative distribution of causes of the failures and errors is illustrated. It is
seen that the major contributions have origin in structural failures and failures of interim
structures used during the execution phases of the projects. These are also the cause of the
majority of incidents leading to loss of lives and injuries and completely dominate the damage
costs.
0
20
40
60
80
100
Interrim structures
Technical
Site and installation
Fitting
Structure
(^5) Rest
11
9
19
12
44
72
11
(^64)
3
(^48)
6
(^142)
50
20
Structural
damage
692
Cost of
damages
692
Damage of
persons
(^60)
Figure 1.10: Illustration of the relative distribution of causes of incidents (Matousek and Schneider
(1976)).
In Figure 1.11 the primary causes of structural failures, Stewart and Melchers (1997) are
illustrated.