Failure and Collapse of civil engineering structures

Dr. S.V.Deodhar, Ex. Director, SSVPS College of Engineering, Dhulia

Can it be a reason for building collapse?
The failure and collapse of civil engineering structures in general and buildings in particular has become a very common phenomenon in last few years. This paper highlights the new reasons of failure of buildings developed in last few years which are beyond the imagination of human being.

Introduction
A five storied building in XYZ collapsed on DATE. Very frequently, we read this type of news in daily news papers. The failure and collapse1 of civil engineering structures in general and buildings in particular have become a very common phenomenon. Everyday a civil engineering structure either develops cracks, or collapses either due to one reason or the other. It affects tremendously in the development of the nation and affects a family who had invested his/her hard earning in the development of his/her own house. Once a structure fails to be used for its intended function, it is said that the building has failed. It is therefore essential to an engineer to have knowledge of various causes and reasons for failure of structures so as to take necessary measures in design and construction of future structures to avoid further failure of buildings, to avoid fatal accidents and to save huge National resources.