Chapter 3: Visual inspection of existing concrete structures

Visual inspection is an essential task in the process of appraisal of existing concrete structures. During the visual inspection of existing concrete structures, the identification of any signs of defects is one of the objectives of the inspection. A brief review of various types of defects, such as structural and non-structural cracks, will be the focus of this chapter. A structural assessment has to be made after gathering all the available information on the condition of the existing structure, after the completion of the visual inspection, to decide whether a full structural investigation of the existing structure is necessary.