The question of durability of single-family dwellings in eucalyptus logs in Espírito Santo, proposing improvements in the building system from the detail phase of the design process

Abstract

The environmental problem encourages researches to make the building sector professionals more aware of the importance of considering the materials choices and constructive systems as well as their productive chain. The objective of this research is to present the results of an analysis on durability of houses of eucalyptus logs built by companies which use different production lines (industrial and craft) in the state of Espírito Santo – Brazil, aiming to establish suitable project guidelines to the material peculiarities and to the local conditions. It is a way to contribute to the preservatives reduction and to the extending of buildings useful life. The methodology considered the following steps: 1. Conceptual reasons; 2. Recognition of eucalyptus log buildings in the state; 3. Samples determination; 4. In site preliminary data survey; 5. Research tools adequacy; 6. Final data collection; 7. Diagnosis and 8. Design proposal. The conclusions stress out that the technological standard used by the companies which were evaluated, was considered as good quality, but there is a need for improvement in constructive solutions, mainly during the project phase, which occurs due to a lack of a constructive detail pattern.