The course introduces the philosophy used in construction design, the interpretation of processes that cause changes in material properties during long-term operation, and a description of major degradation mechanisms leading in the end to the loss of structural integrity. The course explains the basic methods of management and control of these processes. Knowledge of the nature and causes of changes in material properties allows students to understand the mutual interrelationships between the material, its properties and the safety of the components made from it. Evaluation methods and their application in case of damage or failure analyses of selected equipment are demonstrated and explained on case studies.