Building Design, Durability, Maintenance: Methodology for the Durability Forecasting

Abstract

The paper describes a research based on the use of the software BIM (Building Information Modeling) which is associated with an experimental procedure of the evaluation of durability and the life cycle based on FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), one of the methods for durability assessment indicated by the ISO 15686-1 standard. The study shows the methodology and develops a case study on the refurbishment of an old building and discusses its outcome. The experiment on one side illustrates the utility of the analytical approach of FMEA and on the other side the difficulty to use different data and information to be considered in the durability evaluation carried out by the designer  based on the expert assessment. The role of the experts is to design a model and to assess the criticality of each event and to define the relationship between the causes and effects on building elements function. The designer has to define the environmental conditions of the site, the specifications of the material used, the skills of workmanship. The study has shown a quite realistic outcome and significant indications for the designer. Such a result suggests the development of the research.