Failure of Structures: Review of the construction theory – performance problems – responsibility and accountability – case studies – learning from failures – causes of distress in structural members – design and material deficiencies – over loading – Diagnosis and Assessment of Distress: Visual inspection – non destructive tests – ultrasonic pulse velocity method – rebound hammer technique – pullout tests – Windsor probe test – crack detection techniques – case studies – single and multistorey buildings – Fibreoptic method for prediction of structural weakness -Environmental Problems and Natural Hazards: Effect of corrosive, chemical and marine environment – pollution and carbonation problems – durability of RCC structures – damage due to earthquakes and strengthening of buildings – provisions of BIS 1893 and 4326. Methods of repair in concrete, steel and timber structural components.- Modern Techniques of Retrofitting: Structural first aid after a disaster – guniting, jacketing – use of chemicals in repair – application of polymers – ferrocement and fiber concretes as rehabilitation materials – strengthening by pre-stressing – case studies.- Maintenance – inspection and planning, budgeting and management.