Evaluation Procedures and Evaluation of Structural Components and Systems

Evaluation is defined as the process of determining the structural adequacy of the building or component for its intended use. Evaluation by its nature implies the use of personal judgment by qualified design professionals. Because these design professionals must ultimately take professional responsibility for the evaluation, the evaluation process cannot be standardized. Due consideration and weight should be given to an element or unit being tested, evaluated, and so on with respect to the other elements or units in the overall system being evaluated. Interpretation of the evaluation results is based on the experience and judgmental opinions of design professionals who are responsible for the evaluation. Because these design professionals will be accepting the professional responsibility for the overall evaluation, interpretation criteria are not standardized herein.