ABSTRACT
Abstract: The problem of the evaluation of the service life of building components is difficult to solve.
This problem depends on many variables which are difficult to evaluate and to control.
This is due to the following reasons:
– when a building component is made of different materials (which is often the case) the interaction between each material and the environment is influenced by the presence of the other materials;
– for each material of the component the detection of the agents which are significant for its deterioration and of the caracteristic properties which are sensitive to those agents as well as the assessment of the deterioration mechanisms, depend on the component’s complexity and functioning;
– the assessment of the deterioration mechanisms requires consideration of all possible interactions (synergisms) that the materials provided with the assigned functions may involve.
