Damage assessment

Damage assessment, in Turkish hasar tespiti, is the systematic documentation of cracks, deformation, material loss, damp and other decay in a historic building, together with an investigation of their causes. The aim is not only to record what is there but to understand why: a crack may come from foundation settlement, a rotten timber tie or water coming through the roof. Any intervention made without the right diagnosis only postpones the problem.

How damage is assessed

• Visual inspection and photography: the building is examined inside and out, roof and basement included, and every defect is recorded in numbered photographs.
• Decay mapping: cracks, damp stains, efflorescence, material loss and earlier repairs are marked with distinct symbols on survey drawings and orthophotos.
• Measurement and monitoring: leaning, sagging and crack widths are measured and, where needed, monitored over time to see whether movement is ongoing.
• Material analysis and non-destructive testing: mortar, stone and timber samples go to the laboratory, while moisture meters, thermal cameras and similar tools gather data without harming the building.

Its place in survey and restoration

Damage assessment is the bridge between the measured survey and the restoration project. The decay drawings justify each intervention and are among the key documents submitted to the heritage board. Where structural problems exist, architect and structural engineer assess them together. Laser scanning and photogrammetry are powerful tools here, recording deformation and surface loss to scale and in a repeatable way. For the wider context, see our article on conservation and restoration of architectural heritage.