STABILITY EVALUATION OF MARBLE STONE CLADDING AFFECTED BY BOWING AND WIND PRESSURE-A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Bowing is an uncommon pathology that can affect marble stone cladding of building facades. It is characterized by a large and permanent deflexion and degradation of strength of the stone slabs that can cause them to fall from the facades. On the other hand, the wind pressure effects on the building facades may also cause stability problems. Therefore, stone cladding in these conditions presents a high risk of fracture and collapse that needs to be evaluated. This work describes a case study regarding an evaluation of the resistance/stability of a marble stone cladding of a building facade affected by bowing and submitted to wind pressures. This evaluation was performed through numerical simulations and experimental tests to characterize the mechanical properties of the marble stone. The results obtained demonstrated stability problems in some stone slabs due its large dimensions and loss of resistance due to aging and bowing effects.