Conservation of the reinforced concrete blind facade of the Vilanova Artigas Building

• Grant number: 16/05066-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Claudia Terezinha de Andrade Oliveira
• Grantee: Letícia de Almeida Chaves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research purposes to document the intervention carried out on the Vilanova Artigas building in recent years, in order to repair the exposed concrete in the blind section of the façade. It will be identified the main challenges facing the intervention campaign and solutions adopted. The object of the investigation is the last intervention that took place during a two-year period (from 2013 to 2014). We will study fundamentals of restoration that should guide interventions in the historical concrete structures as well ordinary repair techniques of the exposed reinforced concrete. The procedure for data collection was designed as follows: (a)survey the documental databases such as public bidding process, design and construction documentation, technical reports; (b) survey the special techniques for recovering reinforced concrete surfaces of modern buildings; (c)on-site surveys (photographic records, visual inspections and metric survey); (d) interviews with employees and professionals who participated in the intervention process. The survey data will be organized according to: (a) operational conditions for access to the façades; (b) specification of materials and techniques; (c) procedures adopted for the implementation of the specified repair services, (d) procedures adopted for monitoring the quality of the work; (e) the result of interventions considering the technical requirements (security, functionality, maintenance). This work aims to contribute to the future conservation plan of the Vilanova Artigas building.