Displacement

Displacement is the movement of a structural component from its original position. Buildings are designed to experience relatively small movement from normal loads, temperature changes, wind, and settlement. However, excessive or uneven displacement can indicate a structural problem.

Common examples include foundation settlement, wall movement, beam deflection, and floor sagging. If one area of a foundation settles more than another, cracks may appear in walls, doors may become difficult to open, and floors may slope. Beams can also deflect when they are overloaded, weakened by deterioration, or improperly supported. In some cases, displacement may happen slowly over many years. In other cases it can develop quickly after an event such as flooding, impact, or storm event.