Caracterización del ambiente para el proyecto de estructuras

Abstract

Structures are designed to withstand the loads to which they are subjected but also, especially in the case of metal structures, to withstand the losses that occur in their bearing capacity as a result of the surrounding environment. It is necessary to achieve a balance between the durability of the structure and its cost, so that they use the least possible resources compatible with an adequate useful life. There are several standards that set the levels of aggressiveness of the environment and provide an idea of the need for extra thickness depending on it. Unfortunately these classifications are based on values that are hardly available. When a structure is put out to tender, there are generally no measurements of accumulated sulphates or chlorides and averages characteristic of the site. This problem leads to non-optimal structures for risk avoidance, with the consequent increase in costs and material consumption. In this work, an approximation is presented in which, on the basis of generally available data, it is possible to characterise the environment in any work without the need for long sampling periods, with the consequent economic and, especially, environmental savings.