Structural Integrity (SI)

We live in an era of advanced engineering and accomplishment. As a result of modern building techniques and design, towering structures are built to span cities and oceans.

Buildings, bridges, and other structures may be amazing, but they are not infallible. Many reasons can lead to structural failures, but the results are usually devastating.

Structural failure should not occur if properly designed and maintained throughout their asset life cycle. There are clear examples in history where the incorrect design or maintenance of structures has led to their collapse causing property damage but more devastatingly impacting lives.

Events such as the Banqiao Dam failure in 1975 which failed to handle a 1 in 2000 year flood event and led the deaths of over 200,000 people may have been preventable. Another significant event was the collapse of the walkway within the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas city in 1981which killed 114 people and injured many more. These events leave a mark on history and cause wide spread attention.

Industrial sites manage many structures that are key to a company's supply chain. If not managed properly, they can result in significant property and business interruption losses. Swiss Re has seen an increase in the frequency of structure-related losses affecting our clients. Losses can occur to critical equipment such as:

• Conveyors
• Tanks and vessels
• Booms and gantries
• Platforms, walkways and piperacks
• Civil foundations

An effective Structural Integrity (SI) program plays a key role in an asset integrity program. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the mining property sector losses where structural integrity has been a key factor.