10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005

Service life of building components.

Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying factors.

M. Nicolella, A. De Pascale
University of Naples Federico II
D.IN.E. - Department of Building Engineering
Piazzale Tecchio n.80 80125 Naples Italy
maurizio.nicolella@unina.it adepasca@unina.it
TT4-180

ABSTRACT
In the paper the factor method, introduced by the code ISO 15686-1, is examined in a critical way. In
particular, the analysis focuses on the reference service life as well as on the number, the value
assessment and the nature of the factors that affect the reference service life in order to identify the
peculiarity of the case at stake.
The paper offers a chance to underline the common features and, mostly, the differences between the
factor method mentioned above and the method for the evaluation of the behaviours on service of
building elements, called NIC method, developed by the Department of Building Engineering
University of Naples Federico II.
Emphasis is put on the comparison between the values of reference of both methods (the Reference
Service Life and the Mid-Normal value of duration) and on the experimental evaluation of the midnormal value when the NIC method is adopted.
With respect to the modifying factors, instead, we underline the fact that in the method herein
discussed, as opposed to the factor method, the agents of influence considered refer to a purely
physiological deterioration of the components. Furthermore, the agents of influence are redefined and
vary from one another and the factors have a different degree of relevance, in the formula of the
method, in accordance with their actual influence on the deterioration of the same component.
Finally, we stress the importance of the methods of evaluation of the numeric values of such factors
which could derive from experimental data, from laboratory tests or from field-collected data, in order
to provide scientific grounds to the definition of the factors of correction of the value of reference.

KEYWORDS
Service Life, Durability, Modifying factors, Degradation agents, Factor method.

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
1 INTRODUCTION
The Factor method, introduced by the code ISO 15686-1, allows an estimate of the service life to be
made for a particular component or assembly in specific conditions. It is based on a reference service
life (RSL) and a series of modifying factors that relate to the specific conditions of the case.
The method uses modifying factors for each of the following:
A quality of components
B design level
C work execution level
D indoor environment
E outdoor environment
F in-use conditions
G maintenance level
Any one (or any combination) of these variables can affect the service life. The factor method can
therefore be expressed as a formula in which:
ESL = RSLABCDEFxG
2 SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE FACTOR METHOD
The starting point of the factor method is the reference service life. It is the service life that a building
or parts of a building would expect (or is predicted to have) in a certain set (reference set) of in-use
conditions. The RSL may be based on the followings:
data provided by a manufacturer, a test house or an assessment regime (for innovative
components it will normally be based on the manufacturers or suppliers exposure results);
this may be a single figure or a distribution of typical performance;
previous experience or observation of similar construction or materials or in similar
conditions;
some books which are available and which include typical service lives;
building codes which may give typical service lives of components.
Wherever possible it should be as reliable and detailed as possible, and thus preferably based on a
rigorous service life prediction. Furthermore, the reference case on which the reference service life is
based upon should be chosen to be as similar as possible to the specific case studied in terms of the
service life conditions. The factors applied in order to take care of any deviation from the conditions of
the reference case will thus be as close to unity as possible, thereby minimizing the inaccuracy
introduced by the factors.
The choice of values to use as modifying factors may be based on tests or experience from previous
use. If the conditions prevailing in a specific case have led to early failure or to an extended service
life, similar conditions elsewhere may be used as the basis for applying a modifying factor.
The advantage of the factor method is that it allows everything that is likely to contribute to variations
in service life to be examined at the same time and the relative importance of each to be considered
[Jernberg et al. 2004].
At the same time this condition represents, for another aspect, a disadvantage because all the factors in
the formula have the same weight on the degradation of the considered building element.
Furthermore the alack of a different weights of the factors involves that the combination of small
modifying factors can have a significant effect overall. Thats particularly important when the
degradation is affected by a combination of factors, because even a little variation of more factors
from the reference case leads to a substantial variation of the service life estimation.
Moreover the situation in which many factors are different from 1 is very frequent because they
represent the deviation of too many different aspects, from the assumed conditions, which sometimes
have a too much different influence on the degradation of the same building element. Factors like
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
maintenance level or quality of the work execution or design level are difficult to manage and to
translate in a comparable numeric value. Their effects on a building element lead to a pathological
aging that is hard to estimate and to define.
It is also important to note that many relevant agents, like climatic or atmospheric agents, are grouped
in only one global factor (outdoor environment) but their influence (e.g. wind, solar radiation, rain,
temperature, pollution, etc) is often so various and not homogeneous that doesnt allow this kind of
approximation.
Another important point is the attribution of the numeric values to the factors. This operation is too
subjective and arbitrary in fact in the same situation two different designers, without specific
indications or limit-values or defined range of variation of the values, could give too many different
results.
A similar observation regards the determination of the RSL. Actually, the method proposes too many
solutions and too many ways of determination, which show different importance and reliability and
are not homogeneous. The designer can define the reference value, that is the most important element
of the formula, on the base of data provided by various available information.
So, it is possible to state that the factor method does not provide an assurance of a service life it
merely gives an estimate based on what information is available, the reliability depending on the
accuracy of the input data.
3 THE NIC METHOD
The statement of the factor method is formally similar to a method - called NIC method - for the
evaluation of the service life of building components that has been developed in 1998 by Prof.
Nicolella working group of the D.IN.E. (Department of Building Engineering) of the University of
Naples Federico II.
The NIC method is based on the assumption that the service life of a building component can be
estimated in every environmental context, determining the peculiarity of the case as a deviation from a
mid-normal value (or reference value), obtained on an experimental basis.
Really, the method provides the possibility to express the performance of the considered component in
the specific conditions of the case-study, in respect to the conditions assumed as an average case, to be
taken as a reference value.
The formula on which the method is based, representing analytically this condition, is the following:
Dpp = Dmn x Fi
where:
Dpp is the value of the "most probable duration, corresponding to the reliability of the considered
building component in the assumed condition of use;
Dmn is the "mid-normal" value of the "duration", i.e. the reliability of the considered building
component in special conditions assumed as "mid-normal";
Fi are the modifying factors which, in a preliminary phase, are associated to each group of agents that
influence the service life of the considered building component.
Namely, the Dmn value of a specific building component is the statistical mean of data taken from the
study of some sample-buildings; these buildings are selected according to specific criteria and
associated on the base of similar conditions assumed as "mid-normal" conditions.
The adopted criteria of choice are the following:
quality and quantity of the available information;
possibility to carry out monitoring activities;
characteristic of the previous maintenance operations;
homogeneity of the influencing agents.
Once the mid-normal value is defined, the crucial point of the method is the determination of the
modifying factors (Fi), derived from the agents of influence.
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005

Climatic
Agents
Temperature
Daily T
Wind
Rain
Snow
Humidity

Environmental
Agents
Exposure
Facing sea
Pollution
Facing other buildings
Vibrations

Configuration
Agents
Facade characteristic:
Roughness and Colour
Shape
Extension
Lying

Technological
Agents
Presence of
protected elements
Critical points

Table 1. A set of agents of influence

With regard to the assessment of the modifying factors, it is important to consider the agents that
influence the reliability and to define for these agents the corresponding conditions of variation, in
order to evaluate the most probable duration of each building component.
A very important aspect is that the considered degradation agent, which affect the service life, are only
reference to a natural and physiological aging and not to a pathological aging. So, the modifying
factors of the NIC method are defined only for climatic (e.g. temperature, precipitations, wind, solar
radiations, etc) and environmental agents (e.g. pollution, salt atmosphere, etc) and for configuration
issues (e.g. roughness and colour, shape, extension, lying , etc) and the specific technology of the
considered building element.
For these agents, we do not define a single global value, instead every climatic agent is given a value
and relative weight; this weight can change with the nature of the considered building components.
Factors as maintenance level or quality of the work execution or in-use contitions are difficult to
manage and to translate in a comparable numeric value. Their effects on a building element lead to a
pathological aging that is hard to estimate and define.
We consider only some important agents and their choice, with relative weights, changes according to
the nature of the considered building element. Thus, it is possible that the asset of the agents, and
correspondents factors, are different for a roof cover, for example, and a plaster faade, or their
weights vary in the methods formula.
Another important aspect is the determination of the mentioned conditions of variation for the agents
affecting the service life. When possible, the conditions of variation were derived from:
definition and the classification of criteria suggested in technical code (for example, the Italian
laws: D.M. 16 January 1996 for the conditions of variation of the wind or the D.P.R. 412/93
for the temperature);
subdivisions connected to the intensity of the agents and/or to their homogenous behaviours
(for example, subdivision relating to daily T temperature or exposure);
limit-values often calculated with the statistical treatment of field-collected data.
After the definition of the conditions of variation for all the considered agents per chosen element, the
following step is the identification of the modifying factors that translate in numbers the deviation of
behaviour of the case in object from the reference one.
The modifying factors, per every considered agents, represent the different between the condition
relevant to the mid-normal case and the condition of the case in object.
So, the crucial points are:
a) the definition of criteria and modalities to estimate and translate in numbers the variation of
behaviour, for the same building component, in different conditions of influence, regarding to the
mid-normal case;
b) the determination of the weights of the agents that influence the degradation of the considered
element.
As regards the definition of point a), we can follow a criterion similar to the one already applied for
the choice of the conditions of variation.
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
In fact, the evaluation can be made in the following ways:
empirical attribution of the values based on the statistical elaboration of data, collected on the
field from case-studies in which its possible to point out similar conditions and behaviours;
empirical attribution of the values based on the analysis of the results of studies and researches
on the subject, on the details and the information provided by designers, producers,
constructors, technicians, etc, on the precepts of code or technical rules, or on the data coming
from other similar sources;
experimental determination with the aid of laboratory tests that concur to estimate the
relativity of the different conditions of variation of the agents of influence regarding the case
assumed as reference (mid-normal values), obtained by statistical data collected on the field.
A solution can be the combined application of all the three above-mentioned strategies, so that some
values can be defined through statistical information, some through code or laws and/or results of
specific studies and some, with reference to certain climatic or environmental agents, on the base of
laboratory tests.
AGENTS

SOURCES

Temperature

Laboratory Tests

Daily T

Observation of the behaviour on service

Wind

Observation of the behaviour on service

Rain

Results of studies and researches

Snow

Code provisions

Humidity

Observation of the behaviour on service

Exposure to
radiation
Facing sea

Observation of the behaviour on service

Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests

Pollution
Facing other
buildings
Vibrations

Observation of the behaviour on service

Observation of the behaviour on service

Roughness

Observation of the behaviour on service

Colour

Code provisions

Shape

Results of studies and researches

Extension

Observation of the behaviour on service

Lying

Code provisions

Presence of
protected elements

Results of studies and researches

Results of studies and researches

Results of studies and researches

Observation of the behaviour on service
Table 2. The list of the agents and their relative operating methodologies for the appraisal of the
behaviour referred to the mid-normal case, with the indication of the source of the necessary
information to justify the choice of the values. These information are relative to the
implementation of the method on external masonry covered with traditional painted facade
plaster.
Critical Points

TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
As regards the determination point b), we have to detect in percentage the disparity among the
different conditions of variation of each agent; these percentages of disparity, under the same values
regarding all other agents, correspond to the different duration and behaviour of the same element in
the different conditions defined by the considered agent, with reference to the medium-normal case
(Dmn).
AGENTS
Temperature

Daily T

Wind

Rain
Snow
Humidity

Exposition

Facing sea
Pollution

Facing other buildings

Vibrations
Roughness
Colour
Shape

CONDITIONS OF VARIATION
Zones A - B
Zones C - D
Zones E - F
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zones 1-2
Zone 3
Zones 4-5
Zones 6-7
Zones 8-9
Sheltered
Moderate
Severe
Zone I
Zone II
Zone III
R.H. < 85 %
R.H. > 85%
South
South / West South / East
East / West
Nord/ West Nord/ East
Nord
Salt atmosphere
Neutral atmosphere
High
Mean
Low
No present
High protection
Mean protection
Low protection
No vibrations
Intense traffic
Special source
Smooth surface
Rough surface
Black
Dark colours
Clear colours
White
Plane surface
Curve surface

FACTORS REFERRING
TO Dmn
0.85 Dmn
1 Dmn
0.70 Dmn
1.20 Dmn
Dmn
0.70 Dmn
1.20 Dmn
Dmn
0.90 Dmn
0.70 Dmn
0.50 Dmn
Dmn
0.60 Dmn
0.24 Dmn
0.47 Dmn
0.65 Dmn
Dmn
Dmn
0.50 Dmn
0.75 Dmn
Dmn
1.20 Dmn
0.85 Dmn
0.65 Dmn
Dmn
1.75 Dmn
0.65Dmn
Dmn
1.20Dmn
1.60Dmn
1.50Dmn
1.80Dmn
Dmn
1.65 Dmn
Dmn
0.30Dmn
Dmn
0.50 Dmn
0.47Dmn
0.50Dmn
Dmn
1.80Dmn
Dmn
0.83Dmn

TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
Extension
Lying
Cornice

Balcony

< 400 m2 or with windows

> 400 m2 without windows
Horizontal
Tilted (45)
Vertical
No present
Present
No present
Present at intervals on facade with L/H < 0,3
Present on all faade with L/H < 0,3
Present at intervals on facade with L/H > 0,3
Present on all faade with L/H > 0,3
Presence:

Dmn
0.50Dmn
0.15Dmn
0.20Dmn
Dmn
0.40Dmn
Dmn
0.80Dmn
Dmn
1.40Dmn
1.60Dmn
1.80Dmn

Critical points:
Pillars and slabs aligned
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
with the masonry
Thickness variation of the
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
masonry
Thickness variation of the
Yes / No
Dmn/2.00Dmn
plaster, window mouldings,
drain-pipe inserted in the
Yes / No
0.50Dmn/Dmn
masonry.
Table 3. Conditions of variation and modifying factors for every considered agents of influence
of external plaster.
The data in the last column are drawn from the experimental or empirical observation (table 2) of the
different behaviours of each building component in the mid-normal case and under the other
conditions of variation for the considered agents.
More specifically, one of the opportunities for the definition of the modifying factors is given by the
possibility to simulate the effects of some climatic or environmental agents in laboratory.
For example, the value related to the Temperature agent is based on the results of the tests in the
experimental laboratory of the D.IN.E.
The D.IN.E. Laboratory is equipped with a climatic cell, to test temperature and humidity, one by one
or together, and to test the aging of the components caused by the exposure to sun radiations simulated
with a xeno lamp; there is also a dry corrosion cabinet, to simulate changes of temperature and tests
the reaction of a component in salt atmosphere or in other very aggressive (i.e., polluted) atmospheres.
4 SOME RELEVANT DIFFERENCES
It is possible to notice that in both methods a reference value is modified by some factors that translate
the peculiarity of the specific case. But the origin of this value is different, exactly as the nature of the
factors.
Briefly, the most important differences between the methods are:
the nature of the value of reference (RSL and Dmn );
the choice of the agents causing degradation;
the different weight of the degradation agents in relation to the influence on the service life;
the origin and the ways of determination of the numerical value of the modifying factors.
For the first point, in particular, the mid-normal value is statistically determined by the mean of data
collected on the field in similar conditions.
As regards to the RSL, the ISO 15686 suggests to refer to all possible sources available for the
designer, in order to adopt an empirical value. So in our method the way for the determination of the
Dmn is well defined.
TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
Whereas for the RSL evaluation, the method proposes too many solutions and too many ways of
determination which have different important and reliability and are not homogeneous. Actually, the
designer can define the value of reference, that is the most important element of the formula, on the
base on data provided by available information (by producers, manufactures, designers), previous
experience or observation of similar construction, technical researches or building codes.
A very interesting aspect, in relation to the most evident differences, is the choice and the
determination of the degradation agents and the relative modifying factors.
For the NIC method the combination of agents changes according to the considered building
component; the weight of the agents, in particular, is connected to the nature of this component. These
approaches adapt the method to the different cases and so they concur to guarantee a better reliability
in the results.
Moreover, the degradation agent, which affect the service life, are only reference to a natural and
physiological aging and not to a pathological aging. So the modifying factors of the NIC method are
defined only for climatic (e.g. temperature, precipitations, wind, solar radiations, etc) and
environmental agents (pollution, salt atmosphere, etc) and for aspects which concern the configuration
and the specific technology of the considered building element.
In the factor method, the problem of the attribution of the values to the modifying factors is resolved
in the choice among a limited and prefixed series of values which sometimes are too subjective. In
fact, without specific input data the designer chooses values of the RSL and of the factors on the base
of him experience and so the objectivity and the reliability of the results are too low.
When data, especially the reference service life, largely are based on results from studies carried out
according the service life prediction methodology of course the reliability improves.
In our case, instead, the value of the factors is specific for each prefixed condition and is provided by
the method and not chosen by the designer.
So in the factor method the designer operates autonomies and arbitraries choices for the determination
of the ESL. In the NIC method, instead, the designer selects the conditions of the case in object and,
with the factors previously determined and given by the illustrated method, translates the mid-normal
duration in the value to estimate.
FACTOR METHOD

RSL/Dmn

AGENTS CAUSING
DEGRADATION:
Nature
AGENTS CAUSING
DEGRADATION:
Weight
MODYFING FACTORS

Data provided by available

information (by producers,
manufactures, designers),
previous experience or
observation of similar
construction, technical
researches or building codes.
All agents which affect the
service life and the same agents
for all the components and
materials

NIC METHOD

Mean of data collected on the

field in similar and
homogeneous conditions

Only agents which produce a

natural and physiological
aging

The same weight for all the

agents

Each agent has a different

weight for different building
components

Numeric values chosen by the

designers

Prefixed values carried out

according the service life
prediction methodology
(empiric and/or experimental)

Table 4. The most relevant differences between the Factor method and the NIC method.

TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale

10DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

LYON [France] 17-20 April 2005
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TT4-180, Service life of building components. Analysis and proposals of definition of the modifying
factors, M. Nicolella A. De Pascale