Applus+ in KSA delivers large-scale structural evaluation in Dammam and Al-Khobar

Conducted in 2025, the project evaluated structural conditions, identified deterioration patterns, and established a data-driven basis for rehabilitation and maintenance planning.

Applus+ carried out full-scale structural assessments on 32 high-rise buildings in Dammam and 109 low-rise buildings in Al-Khobar. All buildings were recorded within a GIS-enabled data management platform, incorporating photographs, defect severity ratings, geolocation, and structural condition scoring.

In Dammam, the high-rise buildings—constructed using precast reinforced concrete systems—required detailed evaluation of load-bearing elements, service floors, and rooftop structures. In Al-Khobar, the assessment covered two building types (Type I and Type T), both built using conventional reinforced concrete frames.

The project addressed a wide range of structural defects, including reinforcement corrosion, delamination, cracking (thermal and structural), moisture intrusion, efflorescence, and spalling. The age and density of the buildings, along with varying layouts, required coordinated field planning and strict QA/QC controls.

Advanced technical solutions, including Asset Integrity Management, 3D Laser Scanning, Geo-hazard Assessment, and digital data management tools, were applied to analyse defect patterns, classify severity, and assign Overall Degree Scores (ODS) for each building. This approach supported prioritisation of rehabilitation works and long-term maintenance planning.

The project provides a reference framework for large-scale residential building assessments in the Eastern Province. By combining Inspection, Testing & Analysis, Engineering Consulting, and Asset Integrity Management, Applus+ delivered a structured, data-driven basis for rehabilitation planning and lifecycle management, supporting safer residential environments and informed decision-making for future urban development.