structural damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "structural damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe harm or impairment to the physical structure of a building, bridge, or other construction. Example: "After the earthquake, the engineers assessed the site for any structural damage that needed immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Structural damage completely underground.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, there's structural damage.

The New Yorker

There was little structural damage to fix.

The New York Times

It suffers from structural damage.

The Washington Post

But somehow the resort escaped structural damage.

The New York Times - Travel

There's a lot of structural damage".

The New York Times

And structural damage was reportedly widespread.

The Washington Post

There were no injuries or structural damage.

The New York Times

"It won't cause any serious structural damage," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

They are also liable to cause structural damage.

The Guardian - Money

Their house sustained heavy structural damage but was still standing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting "structural damage", specify the type and extent of the damage to provide a clear understanding of the situation. For example, specify if it is "minor structural damage" or "severe structural damage".

Common error

Avoid using overly general terms like "damage" without specifying that it is "structural". This might lead to ambiguity about whether the harm affects the physical integrity of the structure or something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "structural damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the condition of a structure that has been harmed or impaired, often requiring assessment and repair. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "structural damage" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe harm to the physical integrity of a structure. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it is crucial to specify the type and extent of the damage for clarity, avoiding vague descriptions. Alternatives such as "building failure" or "construction defect" can provide more specific connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation collapse

Specifically refers to the failure of the building's foundation.

building failure

Focuses specifically on the collapse or malfunction of a building's structure.

framework impairment

Indicates a weakened or compromised structural framework.

building compromise

Indicates that a building is unsafe or unusable due to structural issues.

construction defect

Emphasizes flaws or inadequacies in the original construction leading to damage.

integrity compromise

Focuses on the loss of structural soundness and reliability.

physical deterioration

General term for the decline in condition of a structure.

construction fault

It addresses a defect in construction, indicating that the damage is due to errors during construction.

material degradation

Highlights the deterioration of materials composing the structure, leading to potential damage.

infrastructure breakdown

Broader term encompassing various types of infrastructure experiencing damage.

FAQs

How is "structural damage" assessed?

Structural damage is typically assessed by qualified engineers or inspectors who evaluate the physical condition of a structure to determine the extent and severity of any damage. This often involves visual inspections, non-destructive testing, and structural analysis.

What are common causes of "structural damage"?

Common causes include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, as well as man-made factors such as poor construction, lack of maintenance, and accidental impacts.

Which is more severe: "cosmetic damage" or "structural damage"?

"Structural damage" is more severe because it affects the integrity and stability of a building or structure, while cosmetic damage only affects the appearance.

What can I say instead of "structural damage"?

You can use alternatives like "building failure", "construction defect", or "material degradation" depending on the context.