What’s Wrong with This Building ? Challenge

The Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) Student Chapter of our department conducted “What’s Wrong with This Building? - A Construction Defect Spotting Challenge” on 7 October 2026. The activity aimed to enhance students’ practical understanding of construction defects, their causes, and preventive measures.

The challenge encouraged students to look beyond the appearance of buildings and think critically about the problems that affect their safety, durability, and serviceability. Participants were presented with real-life photographs of construction defects, including cracks, concrete deterioration, dampness, and plaster damage.

Teams were required to identify the defects, analyse their possible causes, and suggest appropriate preventive measures. They then presented their observations in short presentations, demonstrating their technical knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to propose practical engineering solutions.

Allen D Paliakkara and Anna Tomy of S3 CEA emerged as the winners of the competition. Their achievement reflects their keen observation skills, understanding of construction defects, and ability to apply civil engineering concepts to real-world situations.

The event provided an engaging learning experience by connecting classroom knowledge with practical construction scenarios. It also highlighted the importance of quality control, proper construction practices, regular inspection, and timely maintenance in ensuring the safety and longevity of buildings.

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Rinu J Achison, AP, CE