Determination of the deterioration characteristics of facade materials: a case study

Abstract

Deterioration of the facade materials of a building and its importance are topics that are not getting the attention that they deserve and need. If a material can’t meet its accepted performance criterion during its service life then deterioration may occur on the surface, inside, under or at the structure of the material. Environmental, construction related, and human related agents collaborate with the mechanisms and make an effect which concerns the durability. Therefore, detecting the deteriorations of the materials play an important role for the maintenance planning. This study aims to detect the agents, mechanisms and effects of the deteriorations of a case building. A systematic approach was developed by making literature review. Hostile environmental analysis and building facade inspection have been made by the visual observations on a specific day. Deteriorations occurred at granite, wood composite, aluminum, glass and ceramic materials have been discussed.