Ceramic tiling in building facades: Inspection and pathological characterization using an expert system

In this paper a classification system of the anomalies in ceramic tiling applied to building facades and their most probable causes is proposed and a field data analysis is presented. The field work included the observation of 85 ceramic tiling systems in facades via standardized inspections. A statistical analysis of the anomalies observed during these inspections and their most probable causes is presented and the main ceramic tiling anomalies are evaluated for area affected, user disturbance and most probable causes. The interpretation of this data allowed the creation of an inventory of the measures to be implemented in the design, execution and maintenance phases, in order to prevent the occurrence of anomalies, helping the practicing engineer in his daily activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.