Considerações para o controle tecnológico de obras em alvenaria estrutural
Abstract
Masonry is known as a building structure for thousands of years. Cases where masonry
elements (several units laided together bonded or not with mortar and grouting) support the
building structure are widely found. Until mid-19th century, almost all structures had masonry
part of its structural elements, although not all historic construction can be called structural
masonry the way we understand it today with high strength blocks. The great expansion on
the use of structural masonry occurred after the development of specific techniques and
equipment. Moreover, technological development has enabled the production of higher
strength blocks, dimensional precision and uniformity. To certify the design specified quality,
there is the need of construction technologic control. This is the guarantee of minimum
structural performance. Quality control is necessary to receive (or acceptance) the materials
and components, including blocks, concrete, grout and the mortar, and finally the acceptance
of masonry. This paper presents an assessment of the masonry quality control. Two parts has
focus in different topics. In the first, field study cases in São Carlos city are assessed. The
cases include concrete and ceramic blocks masonry building, and the quality control plan of
each case were checked. The other part, focus on evaluating the several quality control tests
on prisms compressive strength. From an extensive database, simulations concerning on the
calculation of the characteristic value and coefficients of variation of samples, are assessed
and weighted. As a conclusion, we can point that the quality control as required by Brazilian
standards are not always followed in practice. About the prism test, we suggest considering to
evaluate standard sample size specified today. It may be possible to reduce the number of
specimens in each sample.