Analysis of the Degradation Condition of Elementary Schools

Abstract

Currently, there is still no information regarding the performance of public buildings after their construction and the relationship with the needs for carrying out maintenance activities. This paper presents some of the main anomalies detected in six schools, built between 1997 and 2003 in Lisbon. The analysis of the degradation condition of these schools was based on data obtained through detailed visual inspections, carried out in three distinct periods of their operation phase, 2007, 2013 and 2018. The highest level of severity mainly concerns defects on buildings structure and buildings envelope and results from bad decisions made during design and/or construction. Therefore, there are serious problems related to the premature deterioration of these educational buildings, requiring expensive, complex and unplanned major repairs to achieve their specified design service life. This work highlights the need for greater involvement of school building management entities, in the early stages of the building process, including design, tendering, construction and handover.

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