Determination of reference service life for reinforced concrete multistorey residential buildings: case study of Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

The Service life of a building is the period from commencement of service to the time just before costly maintenance becomes necessary for continued meeting of minimum performance requirements. Knowledge of service life determines whether to demolish and replace a building or major repairs are required and the absence of information on this has led to many building failures. This research therefore aimed to determine the Reference Service Life (RSL); a parameter required for the evaluation of a building’s Service Life. Twenty reinforced concrete multistorey residential buildings around the Federal University of Technology Akure (Nigeria) were assessed via visual inspection, material testing, and structural analysis. Information obtained from the assessment was used to develop a comprehensive open-ended service life database. Non-destructive tests were conducted on the buildings’ structural elements and the results used to determine the service life of each of the buildings with the aid of Life 365 Software. Weighted factors which depend on the quality characteristics, operational conditions and the environment of the buildings were used as a grading system for the assignment of sub-factors for the adjustment of the Life 365 service life values, leading to a value of 29 years as the Reference Service Life (RSL) for the study area. The result obtained will benefit construction professionals and appropriate regulatory authorities in the study area while the procedure can be adopted for service life assessment in other locations lacking appropriate database.