Building durability analysis has been increasingly prominent in the Brazilian scenario, especially after ABNT NBR 15575: 2013 (Brazilian Performance Standard) became effective. Divided into six sections, this standard is essentially intended for verification and applicability purposes in terms of structural safety, livability and durability of construction materials and systems used in the Brazilian’s construction industry. Therefore, the standard provides three performance levels to be achieved by systems: minimum, intermediate and higher, each classifying the quality level of materials and processes used in the building construction. Regarding structural system durability, the standard specifies that structures must meet a given design service life (SL) depending on the desired level of performance, where 50, 63, and 75 years are the minimum, intermediate, and higher levels, respectively. In addition to such durability requirement, partially elaborated on by ABNT NBR 6118:2014 (Designing concrete structures) and ABNT NBR 8681:2003 (Actions and structure safety), the Brazilian performance standard (ABNT NBR 15575: 2013) elucidates minimum safety requirements of structural systems, especially concerning elements in fire situation, guided mainly by ABNT NBR 14432:2001 (Fire-resistance requirements for construction elements in buildings) and ABNT NBR 15200:2012 (Designing concrete structures in a fire situation).
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