Structural appraisal is important to professionals concerned with the repair, maintenance or refurbishment of traditional buildings. It involves recognizing and establishing the cause of any structural damage and, if the damage is still active predicting its course. Such knowledge forms the basis for appropriate and efficient action. This book offers a comprehensive guide to the common causes of structural damage. It examines the techniques for collecting evidence including desk study, visual inspection, distortion survey, testing and ground investigation as well as offering advice on managing liability. Each appraisal is unique. A wide range of investigative techniques are described covering most of the circumstances that are likely to occur in practice. The second edition has been substantially re-written and includes more than 150 diagrams illustrating the main principles. There is additional material on; structural behaviour; initial appraisal; building types; use of iron in buildings; and the problems that occur with buildings built on clay.