Development of a large-format ceramic tiles fixing system in facades

• Grant number: 16/21925-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Construction Industry
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Andrade Ribeiro
• Grantee: Fabiana Andrade Ribeiro
• Company: FCH Consultoria e Projetos de Engenharia Ltda
• City: São Paulo
• Pesquisadores principais: Kelly Paiva Inouye
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/05113-1 - Study of application and evaluation methods of large format ceramic tiles fixing in facades, BP.TT; 18/01249-6 - Development of a large-format ceramic tiles fixing system in facades, BP.PIPE

Abstract

This proposal aims to study and evaluate the fixing of large-format ceramic tiles in facades, for adhered and not adhered systems, in order to establish guidelines for projects; to propose methods of evaluation; to create a template for executive project development and develop a fixing system economically feasible. Nowadays the systems on the market are often imported and expensive, making its use unviable and due to this fact the LFCT are being installed using cement based adhesive or fixed with steel inserts with a questionable quality, which consists in a big risk to the users and passers-by. FCH Consultoria, specialized in consulting and projects of façade coatings, has been identifying since its foundation, among other technical needs of the national market, the lack of methodologies, standards and parameters to design project of façades with LFCT. In addition, it is notorious the lack of adequate performance materials and appropriate testing to evaluate and quality control, besides the difficulty of labor in accepting the safest way for installation of LFCT. On the other hand, FCH has increasingly received architectural projects with the specified LFCT in their façades. So, the goal is to develop a comprehensive and broad study for both: the project and the production of this system. Besides, it will produce technical documents that can subsidize the creation of a national technical standard. To achieve the goals, we intend to investigate documents and national and international references, as well as qualitative research in the jobsites in which LFCT is used in the facades in order to verify the installation methods and the incidence of pathologies. At this stage, we will also seek information at the production chain agents and participate in technical-scientific events focused on ceramic tiles and façades. Finally, it will be examined the technical and economic feasibility for the introduction of this new technology in the Brazilian construction market. It is also our goal to study the fixing systems by the finite element method, in order to get parameters for design of adhered and not adhered systems. In addition, we intend to study the methods of testing, seeking compliance with the performance standards. At the end of the study, following results and impacts are expected:* The definition of a system of large-format ceramic tiles (LFCT), using available elements in the national or international market or specific need development of part of the system;* The definition of an executive project template with guidelines for design of facades with LFCT;* The developing of performance parameters for the system in order to quality control implementation;* The establishment of guidelines for training and production control of installation labor;* With the use of this fixing system, it is expected the risk reduction of the detachment of large format tiles of the facades and consequently decrease the accident risks to pedestrians and users of buildings. (AU)