Inspection, Diagnosis, and Rehabilitation System for Flat Roofs

• Published in: Journal of performance of constructed facilities Vol. 31; no. 6
• Main Authors: Conceição, J, Poça, B, de Brito, J, Flores-Colen, I, Castelo, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Society of Civil Engineers 01-12-2017
• Subjects: Anomalies; Diagnosis; Diagnostic systems; Flat roofs; Inspection; Nondestructive testing; Rehabilitation; Roofing; Technical Papers
• ISSN: 0887-3828; 1943-5509
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001094

AbstractThis paper presents a validated support system for the inspection, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of flat roofs, with the purpose of standardizing and systemizing procedures within a proactive, diagnostic maintenance strategy for the prevention of anomalies in the flat roof system. In this study, a classification of anomalies is proposed and their most probable causes are presented, classified, and correlated. To aid the diagnosis of anomalies several in situ nondestructive methods were studied and classified, along with various rehabilitation techniques, in order to maintain and/or restore the functional properties of the flat roof system. Four correlation matrices were created and validated. These matrices relate anomalies with their most probable causes, with other anomalies, with the most adequate diagnosis methods, and with the respective rehabilitation techniques. Also, several forms were created containing essential information regarding each anomaly, diagnosis method, and rehabilitation technique. The proposed system was validated and calibrated through extensive campaign involving the examination of 105 flat roofs in various locations in Portugal. The use of the flat roof is gaining momentum in the construction sector, making it necessary to increase the effectiveness and objectivity of the actions to be taken upon the occurrence of anomalies.