6B058E - Advanced Building Pathology and Defect Diagnostics 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Jul 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B058E
Module Title: Advanced Building Pathology and Defect Diagnostics
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built and Sustainable Environment
Faculty Sub Group: Built Environment
Module Leader: Grant Avon
Module Team: Karen Le Feuvre, Emmajane Mantle
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100216 - building surveying
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Jul 2032

Module Aims

  • To develop advanced knowledge of material behaviour and failure mechanisms in traditional, modern and emerging construction systems, enabling students to diagnose defects accurately across a broad range of building types. 

  • To enable students to analyse moisture behaviour, environmental conditions, building performance and occupant-related factors to identify, interpret and manage dampness, condensation, mould and associated health implications. 

  • To strengthen students’ ability to evaluate technical, practical and sustainable repair strategies by applying diagnostic tools, non-destructive testing methods, and professional judgement to complex building pathology scenarios. 

Content Summary

This module develops an advanced understanding of building pathology, enabling students to diagnose, interpret and resolve defects across a broad range of traditional, modern and emerging construction types. Students investigate material failure mechanisms in stone, brick, concrete, timber, metals and plastics, alongside in-depth study of moisture behaviour, rising damp, condensation, mould formation and environmental factors influencing building performance. 

The module explores common and complex defects including cracking from subsidence and ground movement, structural deterioration, defects in building envelopes, roofing systems, chimneys, plaster and render failures, and issues affecting windows, doors and rights of light. Students examine defects associated with modern methods of construction (MMC), retrofit interventions, thermal bridging and unintended consequences arising from energy efficiency upgrades. 

Emphasis is placed on evidence-based diagnosis through practical demonstrations, case studies and the use of non-destructive testing methods such as moisture meters, borescopes, thermal imaging and digital tools. Students assess repair options, evaluate risk, and consider sustainability, health implications, occupant behaviour and regulatory requirements when selecting remediation strategies. 

By integrating technical knowledge with analytical skills and practical investigation, the module prepares students to make competent, professional judgements in diagnosing and managing building defects in real surveying practice. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes & Workshops 24
Groupwork 12
Seminar 12
Active/Simulation based 6
Formative assessment - scheduled 2
Formative Assessment - Independent 16
Summative Assessment 60
Directed Study 24
Independent Study 144
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To be able to apply advanced knowledge of material behaviour, construction systems, and deterioration mechanisms to identify, investigate and diagnose defects in a range of traditional, modern and emerging building types, using appropriate tools, evidence and professional reasoning.
LO2 To be able to evaluate moisture behaviour, environmental performance, and associated health and safety risks; and propose appropriate, sustainable and technically justified repair and remediation strategies based on diagnostic evidence and best-practice guidance.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Practical Assessment Practical Coursework (Online) (diagnostic sketches, annotated images, moisture/thermal data interpretation, commentary) 0 2000 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report Online (full technical report + evaluation of repair strategies + sustainability/health considerations) 0 3000 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework (Online) ✔ ✔
Report ✔ ✔

Reading List

Building Pathology and Surveying Practice | University of South Wales 

Allen, Edward. and Iano, Joseph. (2013) Fundamentals of Building Construction?: Materials and Methods. 6th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.  

Bryson, L. Sebastian and Kotheimer, Michael J (2011) ‘Cracking in Walls of a Building Adjacent to a Deep Excavation’, Journal of performance of constructed facilities, 25(6), pp. 491–503. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000185.  

Building Services Research and Information Association. (1990) Building services maintenance. Bracknell: BSRIA (Reading guide / Building Services Research and Information Association?; no.1 vol.2).  

Casini, Marco (2022) Construction 4.0 - Advanced Technology, Tools and Materials for the Digital Transformation of the Construction Industry. Elsevier (Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821797-9.00014-3.  

Cody, Brian (2017) Form follows energy?: using natural forces to maximize performance. 1st ed. Basel, Switzerland: Birkha ¨ user. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783035614114.  

Coulson, Jim and Wiley-Blackwell (Firm), publisher. (2021) A handbook for the sustainable use of timber in construction. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley.  

Dai, Shibing, Wu, Yang, and Dettmering, Tanja (2025) ‘Relationship between lime mortars and defects of the Great Wall built by the Ming Dynasty in China’, Built heritage, 9(1), pp. 61–13. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43238-025-00219-7.  

Giaccone, Domenico, Santamaria, Ulderico, and Corradi, Marco (2020) ‘An Experimental Study on the Effect of Water on Historic Brickwork Masonry’, Heritage, 3(1), pp. 29–46. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage3010003.  

Glover, P. (2023) ‘Roofs and Chimneys (chapter 6)’, in Building surveys. 9th ed. New York, New York: Routledge, pp. 94–109.  

Harrison, H. W. and Building Research Establishment. (1996) Roofs and roofing?: performance, diagnosis, maintenance, repair and the avoidance of defects. London: Building Research Establishment (BRE building elements).  

Hinks, John and Cook, Geoff (1997) The technology of building defects. 1st ed. London?; E&FN Spon. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203475362.  

Holland, Malcolm. (2012) A practical guide to diagnosing structural movement in buildings. 1st ed. Chichester, West Sussex [England]?; Wiley-Blackwell.  

Holland, R., Montgomery-Smith, B. E., and Moore, J. F. A. (1992) Appraisal and repair of building structures introductory guide. London: Thomas Telford (Appraisal and repair of building structures series).  

Howell, J. (2008) The rising damp myth. London: Nosecone Publications. ?A ¯ lam, Parvez (2021) Composites Engineering?: an a-Z Guide. First edition. Bristol: IOP Publishing Limited (IOP Ebooks Series).  

Loughran, Patrick. (2007) Failed stone?: problems and solutions with concrete and masonry . 1st ed. Basel?; Birkha ¨ user. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8285-8.  

Lyons, Arthur. (2024) Modern Methods of Construction and Innovative Materials. 1st ed. Milton: CRC Press LLC.  

Namazi, Eshagh and Mohamad, Hisham (2013) ‘Assessment of Building Damage Induced by Three-Dimensional Ground Movements’, Journal of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, 139(4), pp. 608–618. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000822.  

Nehdi, Moncef L. et al. (2024) Artificial Intelligence Applications for Sustainable Construction. 1st ed. San Diego: Elsevier Science & Technology (Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering Series).  

Porteous, Jack. and Kermani, Abdy. (2013) Structural timber design to Eurocode 5. 2nd ed. Chichester [England: John Wiley & Sons Inc.  

Recart, Carolina and Sturts Dossick, Carrie (2022) ‘Hygrothermal behavior of post-retrofit housing: A review of the impacts of the energy efficiency upgrade strategies’, Energy and buildings, 262. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112001. ‘Restoration & remediation.’ (no date).  

Singh, Jagjit (1994) Building mycology?: management of decay and health in buildings. London: E & FN Spon. Stahl, Thomas and Wakili, Karim Ghazi (2021) Energy-efficient retrofit of buildings by interior insulation?: materials, methods, and tools. London, UK: Elsevier Science & Technology. Taylor, G.D. (2000) Materials in construction: an introduction. Third edition. Harlow: Longman. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/g0kpe7/alma9915448302424.  

Torres, M. Isabel M. and Peixoto de Freitas, Vasco (2007) ‘Treatment of rising damp in historical buildings: wall base ventilation’, Building and environment, 42(1), pp. 424–435. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.07.034.  

Watt, D. (2007) Building pathology: principles and practice. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.  

World Health Organization. (2009) WHO guidelines for indoor air quality?: dampness and mould. 1st ed. Copenhagen: WHO.  

Yu, Chuck Wah Francis and Jeong Tai Kim (2010) ‘Building Pathology, Investigation of Sick Buildings — VOC Emissions’, Indoor + built environment, 19(1), pp. 30–39. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X09358799.