Structural Degradation Assessment of RC Buildings: Application via Software of the method of assessment by integrity and safety - MAIS Method - in a Heritage Case Study in Brasilia

Resumo

The assessment of an existing structure is a complex task that necessitates a thorough understanding of
the materials involved, the applied loads, environmental aggressiveness, and various other factors to accurately
evaluate its functionality and predict structural safety levels. This process is challenging due to the numerous
uncertainties inherent in it, as buildings do not always reveal the condition of their internal components and
materials. In response to these challenges, the Method of Assessment by Integrity and Safety - MAIS Method - has been developed over the past five years. One of the modes that the MAIS Method can be employed involves
the utilization of a structural software. Through on-site surveys, data is collected, enabling the quantification of
the integrity of each constituent element within the system. Subsequently, structural modeling is carried out using
dedicated software for both the intact structure and the degraded structure, incorporating the integrity index directly
into the elasticity index of each structural element. The software is then executed, and a comparative analysis is
conducted between the two structural representations. The study focused on a building located in the Asa Sul
region of Brasília, Brazil, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The present research concludes that the
MAIS Method is efficacious, facilitating visual identification of the structural condition. Furthermore, it
establishes the feasibility of conducting both global and local analyses of the structure.