ABSTRACT
Traditional building has been based upon an effective and integrated amalgam of materials, methods, labour, design and economics which have developed over many centuries. This inter-relationship between the various parts of the process were well balanced and produced buildings that performed over time However in recent years changes in material and processes have affected the whole of the building industry. New building materials and products, different procurement methods and extensive service installations in buildings have made the construction process more complex. Simultaneously there has developed an increasing knowledge gap on the performance of building materials and components and data base information that could be used by designers. This paper presents the results of a research project on the assessment of the life span characteristics of flat roofing systems as an example of a systematic approach that can be used to establish the performance of building elements and materials.
