Análise de desempenho e custos de sistema de vedação em EPS

Abstract

The masonry of ceramic blocks is the system of sealing traditionally used in civil construction. This system is responsible for consuming a considerable portion of the execution time of the work besides producing a significant amount of solid waste. However, the insertion of new products in the construction market has made it possible to improve its construction methods, such as the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sealing system. In this system, made up of EPS panels and mortared steel screens, the EPS shapes the wall and the mortar screens gives it resistance. Due to its ease of application and consequent reduction of the execution time, as well as the smaller amount of residues generated, it makes of this an alternative system to the one of ceramic blocks. However, the researches related to the general performance of the EPS system in Brazil are still scarce. In this way, this work had as objective to analyze the non-structural performance of two prototypes of EPS system of sealing for suspended loads and to compare it with the prescriptions of NBR 15575-4 and bibliographic reference. A comparative analysis of the thermal insulation performance between the EPS system and the ceramic block system was also performed based on literature studies. The EPS system presented an excellent performance in relation to the suspended load applications and advantageous in relation to the ceramic block in the thermal insulation study. In order to evaluate the competitiveness of the EPS system in relation to the ceramic block system, a comparative analysis of its costs was carried out based on data presented in bibliography. The higher costs of the EPS system, related to its constituent materials, are offset by the reduction of labor compared to the ceramic block system.