Prefabricated and monolithic reinforced concrete structures are widely used in construction of build-ings for various purposes (residential, administrative, industrial, etc.). The bearing structures of a build-ing include: foundations, columns, walls, beams, intercommunication overlaps and floors, coatings, stiffness diaphragms and other structural elements.

Defects and damages in the elements of reinforced concrete structures can be formed both during the operation of the building and during construction and installation works. The most characteristic defects and damage to reinforced concrete structures are:

• deviation of the position of the construction from the project (vertically or horizontally; mismatch of the mating elements, insufficient depth, length or width of the bearing);
• mismatch of the size or shape of the construction with the project as a result of deviations from the project in the manufacture (erection) of the construction;
• significant deformations or displacements of the construction (deflections, precipitation, rolls), which may be the result of overload, extra-nodal or increased eccentricity of the load application, weakening of the structure by other defects that appeared at different stages of construction or operation, changes in the project scheme of the structure, deformation of the base of the building, displacement for another reason or damage to the supports (foundations, walls, etc.);
• caverns, conches, voids, foreign inclusions in concrete, which are usually the result of violations of the rules for preparing or laying concrete mixes, as well as non-project reinforcement of the structure;
• punctures, chips or abrasion of the concrete surface with or without exposure of reinforcement due to impact or other mechanical effects at different stages of construction or operation;

• lack or insufficient adhesion between concrete laid at different times, as a rule, due to poor prepara-tion of the surface of previously laid concrete;
• cracks of a different nature, location, length and opening, including those with crushing of concrete, peeling of the protective layer, etc., which could appear at different stages of construction and opera-tion due to poor-quality work, the impact of unintended loads and other influences.

The tasks the reinforced concrete elements of the building of examinination include the identification of defects and damage, their classification, establishing of the causes of formation and giving recom-mendations for elimination. Depending on the category of technical condition of a building’s structural element, repair, reinforcement or replacement of structures may be required to eliminate defects and damage.