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M. Nicolella, A. De Pascale
University of Naples Federico II
D.IN.E. - Department of Building Engineering
Piazzale Tecchio n.80 80125 Naples Italy
maurizio.nicolella@unina.it adepasca@unina.it
TT4-180
ABSTRACT
In the paper the factor method, introduced by the code ISO 15686-1, is examined in a critical way. In
particular, the analysis focuses on the reference service life as well as on the number, the value
assessment and the nature of the factors that affect the reference service life in order to identify the
peculiarity of the case at stake.
The paper offers a chance to underline the common features and, mostly, the differences between the
factor method mentioned above and the method for the evaluation of the behaviours on service of
building elements, called NIC method, developed by the Department of Building Engineering
University of Naples Federico II.
Emphasis is put on the comparison between the values of reference of both methods (the Reference
Service Life and the Mid-Normal value of duration) and on the experimental evaluation of the midnormal value when the NIC method is adopted.
With respect to the modifying factors, instead, we underline the fact that in the method herein
discussed, as opposed to the factor method, the agents of influence considered refer to a purely
physiological deterioration of the components. Furthermore, the agents of influence are redefined and
vary from one another and the factors have a different degree of relevance, in the formula of the
method, in accordance with their actual influence on the deterioration of the same component.
Finally, we stress the importance of the methods of evaluation of the numeric values of such factors
which could derive from experimental data, from laboratory tests or from field-collected data, in order
to provide scientific grounds to the definition of the factors of correction of the value of reference.
KEYWORDS
Service Life, Durability, Modifying factors, Degradation agents, Factor method.
Climatic
Agents
Temperature
Daily T
Wind
Rain
Snow
Humidity
Environmental
Agents
Exposure
Facing sea
Pollution
Facing other buildings
Vibrations
Configuration
Agents
Facade characteristic:
Roughness and Colour
Shape
Extension
Lying
Technological
Agents
Presence of
protected elements
Critical points
SOURCES
Temperature
Laboratory Tests
Daily T
Wind
Rain
Snow
Code provisions
Humidity
Exposure to
radiation
Facing sea
Pollution
Facing other
buildings
Vibrations
Roughness
Colour
Code provisions
Shape
Extension
Lying
Code provisions
Presence of
protected elements
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale
Daily T
Wind
Rain
Snow
Humidity
Exposition
Facing sea
Pollution
CONDITIONS OF VARIATION
Zones A - B
Zones C - D
Zones E - F
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zones 1-2
Zone 3
Zones 4-5
Zones 6-7
Zones 8-9
Sheltered
Moderate
Severe
Zone I
Zone II
Zone III
R.H. < 85 %
R.H. > 85%
South
South / West South / East
East / West
Nord/ West Nord/ East
Nord
Salt atmosphere
Neutral atmosphere
High
Mean
Low
No present
High protection
Mean protection
Low protection
No vibrations
Intense traffic
Special source
Smooth surface
Rough surface
Black
Dark colours
Clear colours
White
Plane surface
Curve surface
FACTORS REFERRING
TO Dmn
0.85 Dmn
1 Dmn
0.70 Dmn
1.20 Dmn
Dmn
0.70 Dmn
1.20 Dmn
Dmn
0.90 Dmn
0.70 Dmn
0.50 Dmn
Dmn
0.60 Dmn
0.24 Dmn
0.47 Dmn
0.65 Dmn
Dmn
Dmn
0.50 Dmn
0.75 Dmn
Dmn
1.20 Dmn
0.85 Dmn
0.65 Dmn
Dmn
1.75 Dmn
0.65Dmn
Dmn
1.20Dmn
1.60Dmn
1.50Dmn
1.80Dmn
Dmn
1.65 Dmn
Dmn
0.30Dmn
Dmn
0.50 Dmn
0.47Dmn
0.50Dmn
Dmn
1.80Dmn
Dmn
0.83Dmn
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale
Balcony
Dmn
0.50Dmn
0.15Dmn
0.20Dmn
Dmn
0.40Dmn
Dmn
0.80Dmn
Dmn
1.40Dmn
1.60Dmn
1.80Dmn
Critical points:
Pillars and slabs aligned
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
with the masonry
Thickness variation of the
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
masonry
Thickness variation of the
Yes / No
Dmn/2.00Dmn
plaster, window mouldings,
drain-pipe inserted in the
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
masonry.
Table 3. Conditions of variation and modifying factors for every considered agents of influence
of external plaster.
The data in the last column are drawn from the experimental or empirical observation (table 2) of the
different behaviours of each building component in the mid-normal case and under the other
conditions of variation for the considered agents.
More specifically, one of the opportunities for the definition of the modifying factors is given by the
possibility to simulate the effects of some climatic or environmental agents in laboratory.
For example, the value related to the Temperature agent is based on the results of the tests in the
experimental laboratory of the D.IN.E.
The D.IN.E. Laboratory is equipped with a climatic cell, to test temperature and humidity, one by one
or together, and to test the aging of the components caused by the exposure to sun radiations simulated
with a xeno lamp; there is also a dry corrosion cabinet, to simulate changes of temperature and tests
the reaction of a component in salt atmosphere or in other very aggressive (i.e., polluted) atmospheres.
4 SOME RELEVANT DIFFERENCES
It is possible to notice that in both methods a reference value is modified by some factors that translate
the peculiarity of the specific case. But the origin of this value is different, exactly as the nature of the
factors.
Briefly, the most important differences between the methods are:
the nature of the value of reference (RSL and Dmn );
the choice of the agents causing degradation;
the different weight of the degradation agents in relation to the influence on the service life;
the origin and the ways of determination of the numerical value of the modifying factors.
For the first point, in particular, the mid-normal value is statistically determined by the mean of data
collected on the field in similar conditions.
As regards to the RSL, the ISO 15686 suggests to refer to all possible sources available for the
designer, in order to adopt an empirical value. So in our method the way for the determination of the
Dmn is well defined.
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale
RSL/Dmn
AGENTS CAUSING
DEGRADATION:
Nature
AGENTS CAUSING
DEGRADATION:
Weight
MODYFING FACTORS
NIC METHOD
Table 4. The most relevant differences between the Factor method and the NIC method.
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale