Methodology for service life prediction of architectural concrete facades

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2017-02, Vol.133, p.261-274
• Main Authors: Serralheiro, Maria Inês, de Brito, Jorge, Silva, Ana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Architectural concrete facades; Building materials durability; Concretes; Degradation curves; Degradation phenomena; Durability; Mechanical properties; Service life prediction
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.079

•The service life of architectural concrete facades is evaluated based on visual inspections.•174 facades were analysed as well the factors that influence their degradation.•Concrete facades with high exposure to damp and near from the sea are less durable.•Light-coloured facades, protected from rain and with varnishing are more durable.•The information provided is crucial to establish rational maintenance plans. In this study, a methodology for the service life prediction of architectural concrete facades is proposed, following a research line previously developed for other types of claddings, to evaluate their durability. The methodology developed is based on the collection of data in visual inspections. In this study, 174 facades were analysed, during the fieldwork phase, through a survey of the different degradation phenomena. This information is used to define degradation curves, which graphically express the loss of performance of architectural concrete facades over time, evaluating the influence of the degradation agents, allowing estimating a reference service life for this type of coating. The model proposed in this study leads to acceptable and consistent results, adequately translating the degradation observed in reality. However, for some characteristics of architectural concrete facades, it is not possible to obtain unequivocal conclusions, which reveals the high susceptibility of these coatings to the aggressive environmental agents, e.g. sea salts, which act simultaneously on the facade, hindering the determination of the separate influence of these characteristics on the degradation found. This study intends to give a contribution to the service life prediction of exterior facades, allowing defining rational maintenance plans and reducing the costs associated to the buildings refurbishment during their life cycle.