Case Study of Structural Distress Assessment, Rehabilitation Strategy, and Post-Survey Condition Evaluation of Rural Housing

The visual condition survey of twenty-five IAY houses at Chandraiahpalem village confirmed structural deterioration of mild-to-severe extent in every house inspected. Roof slab cracking and spalling, exposed corroding reinforcement, and the complete absence of terrace waterproofing emerged as the dominant and consistent failure mode. Internal finishes, doors, windows, and electrical wiring were uniformly assessed as requiring full replacement.   A staged, priority-ordered rehabilitation methodology is recommended: temporary propping, concrete and reinforcement restoration, crack injection, brick-bat-coba terrace waterproofing, re-plastering and painting, flooring renewal, and complete replacement of openings and electrical services. The estimated cost is ₹57.09 lakh for the cluster, or approximately ₹2.28 lakh per house. A field pilot at one house validated the propping and slab-recasting methodology as practicable for scale-up.   Given the severity of the structural findings — explicitly flagged in this report as a critical safety concern affecting load-bearing slab elements in all twenty-five houses — it is recommended that the implementing authority proceed with Stage I propping at the earliest opportunity at any house showing visible slab spalling or exposed reinforcement. This should happen ahead of, and independent of, the timeline for full rehabilitation funding, so that occupant safety is safeguarded in the interim. Periodic condition monitoring following completion of repairs is also recommended, both to verify the long-term effectiveness of the waterproofing intervention and to catch any recurrence of distress at an early, low-cost stage.

1.      Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 2645). Specification for Integral Cement Waterproofing Compounds. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi. 2.      Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) — Scheme Guidelines. Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi. 3.      Satheeshkumar, B. (2025). Detailed Estimate for Structural Repairs, Waterproofing, and Painting Works — Damages Assessment, Twenty-Five (25) IAY Houses at Chandraiahpalem Village. Unpublished bill of quantities, 23 September 2025.