Next Article in Journal
The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Dynamic Site Layout Planning in Large-Scale Construction Projects
Next Article in Special Issue
Novel Fuzzy-Based Optimization Approaches for the Prediction of Ultimate Axial Load of Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes
Previous Article in Journal
Robot-Inclusive False Ceiling Design Guidelines
Previous Article in Special Issue
Local Retrofit of Reinforced Concrete Structures by the ACM System
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

The Impact of Temporary Means of Access on Buildings Envelope’s Maintenance Costs

1
CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Buildings 2021, 11(12), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120601
Submission received: 27 October 2021 / Revised: 19 November 2021 / Accepted: 26 November 2021 / Published: 1 December 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buildings: 10th Anniversary)

Abstract

Accessibility to buildings’ envelope depends on efficient inspection and other maintenance actions of their components. When access to these components is not planned, special means of access are required to carry out the maintenance work. Means of access, besides having a fundamental role on the quality of maintenance works of building envelope components, also represents a considerable part of the maintenance costs. Thus, to optimize costs and resources in maintenance plans, assessment of the impact of the means of access on maintenance costs is crucial. For works in height, there are several alternative means of access. The choice of the most adequate solution is strongly linked to the characteristics (e.g., architecture, height) and constraints (e.g., users, surrounding space) of each building, the maintenance needs of the envelope, and the time and funds available for the intervention. Therefore, in this study, a sensitivity analysis to understand how the cost of means of access can influence the maintenance costs is carried out. Moreover, the optimisation of maintenance activities in façade claddings is also analysed. This study intends to assess whether it is advantageous to consider permanent means of access during the design phase or opt for temporary means of access. In a first stage, the impact of six temporary means of access (supported and suspended scaffolds; articulated booms; telescopic booms; scissor lifts; and rope access) on the maintenance plans developed for the six types of claddings (ceramic tiling systems—CTS, natural stone claddings—NSC, rendered façades—RF, painted surfaces—PS, external thermal insulation composite systems—ETICS, and architectural concrete façades—ACF) is examined. The impact is estimated through a stochastic maintenance model based on Petri nets. After that, a sensitivity analysis and a multi-criteria decision analysis are performed. Based on the results, general recommendations are presented concerning the maintenance strategies to adopt in the cladding solutions analysed. The results reveal that planning the means of access during the design stage can be economically beneficial for all buildings’ envelope components.
Keywords: degradation; maintenance; façade claddings; means of access degradation; maintenance; façade claddings; means of access

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Ferreira, C.; Dias, I.S.; Silva, A.; de Brito, J.; Flores-Colen, I. The Impact of Temporary Means of Access on Buildings Envelope’s Maintenance Costs. Buildings 2021, 11, 601. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120601

AMA Style

Ferreira C, Dias IS, Silva A, de Brito J, Flores-Colen I. The Impact of Temporary Means of Access on Buildings Envelope’s Maintenance Costs. Buildings. 2021; 11(12):601. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120601

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ferreira, Cláudia, Ilídio S. Dias, Ana Silva, Jorge de Brito, and Inês Flores-Colen. 2021. "The Impact of Temporary Means of Access on Buildings Envelope’s Maintenance Costs" Buildings 11, no. 12: 601. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120601

APA Style

Ferreira, C., Dias, I. S., Silva, A., de Brito, J., & Flores-Colen, I. (2021). The Impact of Temporary Means of Access on Buildings Envelope’s Maintenance Costs. Buildings, 11(12), 601. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120601

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop