Assessing and strengthening masonry structures for sustainable reuse

Insights from Leviat’s Helifix General Manager, John Heseltine, as featured in the March 2026 edition of The Structural Engineer. 

The reuse and adaptation of existing masonry and stone buildings is becoming increasingly important as the construction industry looks to reduce material use, preserve built heritage and extend the life of existing structures. Achieving this requires a careful balance between structural performance, long-term durability and preserving the character of the structure. 

At Leviat, our specialist Helifix masonry and stone repair systems are designed to support engineers and contractors in delivering targeted, efficient and low-impact repairs across heritage, commercial and infrastructure projects worldwide. 

The successful reuse of masonry structures begins with understanding how a building has performed over time. 

Historic construction methods, material variability and long-term exposure to environmental and loading conditions mean that no two structures behave in the same way. Establishing the form of construction and identifying the causes of observed defects are critical to defining appropriate repair and strengthening strategies. 

Leviat’s Helifix systems are developed to support sensitive structural interventions, helping engineers address deterioration and instability while maintaining the integrity of the existing structure. 

A central challenge in masonry assessment is determining whether deformation is historic and stable, or indicative of ongoing structural movement. 

Factors such as settlement, groundwater variation, vibration and previous loading can all influence long-term structural behaviour. Misinterpretation can lead to unnecessary intervention or insufficient repair, both of which carry risk for safety, durability and future performance. 

Leviat’s engineering expertise supports project teams in identifying appropriate stabilisation and reinforcement approaches for complex masonry conditions. 

Effective masonry repair focuses on restoring structural integrity while minimising disruption to the existing structure. 

Modern repair approaches focus on localised repair and reinforcement, allowing engineers to address structural issues without extensive reconstruction. Typical masonry repair applications may include: 

Leviat’s Helifix systems support a wide range of engineered masonry repair applications, with technical repair details developed to help engineers and contractors assess and specify appropriate interventions for different structural conditions. 

Explore the Helifix Repair Details library for technical guidance on common masonry repair applications. 

Leviat’s Helifix range is engineered to support discreet and effective masonry repair and reinforcement across both heritage and modern structures. 

The adaptation and retention of existing buildings plays a key role in supporting more sustainable construction practices. 

Delivering successful outcomes requires solutions that combine structural reliability with minimal impact on the original structure and appearance of the building. Careful assessment, proportionate intervention and durable repair systems remain essential to extending the life of masonry structures. 

Through specialist engineering support and proven masonry reinforcement technologies, Leviat helps enable the safe and sustainable reuse of buildings across heritage, infrastructure and commercial sectors. 

Read the full article in The Structural Engineer here.