PATHOLOGIES CAUSED BY INFILTRATION IN A LONG-STAY INSTITUTION FOR THE ELDERLY: A CASE STUDY PATOLOGIAS CAUSADAS POR INFILTRAÇÃO EM UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA PARA IDOSOS: UM ESTUDO DE CASO

This paper is part of an extension project aimed at renovating the Carlos Romeiro Asylum, a long-stay institution for the elderly located in Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, starting from an initial conception about the current state of the building. For this, it was developed a literature review on the main cause of pathologies that affect the building, infiltration and humidity damage, and others. A case study will be presented, showing the main physical deficiencies of this resting house, to propose interventions based on Material Science and Civil Engineering. Because it is a place where the construction work must be done concomitantly with the circulation of people, this project needs to be divided into stages. It is important to point out that this work may involve both recovery materials and methods, which aim to reestablish the original conditions of the damaged structures, and reinforcement, which aim to adjust the resistant capacity of the structures according to their use. The development and application of this project will bring improvements to the elderly population of the asylum, enabling better health and mobility conditions inside the space where more than sixty old people live.


INTRODUCTION
The term pathology in civil construction is dedicated to the study of errors and damage to the structural part of a work. The explanation for the appearance of pathologies is varied: lack of planning, poor working conditions, incorrect storage of materials used in construction, and inefficient labor are also some examples.
These pathologies can manifest themselves in various ways, such as cracks, fissures, infiltrations, damage from excessive humidity in the structure, among others. For being found in several aspects, they are called pathological manifestations.
Within this context, the Brazilian standard NBR 15575 (ABNT, 2013), in part, demonstrates the effort of the technical and scientific communities to improve the results of civil construction. It deals, among other things, with user requirements for habitability, namely: water tightness, thermal performance, acoustic performance, lighting performance, health, hygiene and air quality, functionality, accessibility, and tactile comfort. All these requirements are, directly or indirectly, connected to the possibilities of pathologies. This paper will briefly present the most common pathologies in buildings, using a case study of the Carlos Romeiro Asylum in Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, as a reference for the application of theoretical concepts to practice. It is important to emphasize that the administration of the asylum authorized this study to be carried out. Besides, for the reader's better understanding, it should be noted that the word "asylum" refers to a long-stay institution, and is therefore adopted as a standard in this work.
Moreover, this work is based on local inspections carried out during technical visits, in which the main physical deficiencies of this nursing home were identified to propose interventions based on Material Science and Civil Engineering, necessary for the treatment and recovery of the entire building.
Molds and mildews are caused by plant fungi, which produce acid enzymes that corrode in wood and masonry. The appearance of stains, mold, fungus, and mildew in buildings is largely a consequence of an extension of the infiltration pathology. Machado and Alencar (2019) states that this pathology damages the aesthetic aspect of buildings, characterized by the appearance of dark, yellow or whitish stains, as well as the presence of fungi that promote degeneration of the coating applied.
In this context and according to Yázigi (2003), the frames should meet the requirements of air and water tightness, resistance to uniformly distributed loads and handling operations, and acoustic behavior. Defects in the frames or their placement may generate several pathologies, the most common cases being the manifestations of infiltration in the surroundings.
In a research carried out in São Paulo, Bernardes et al. (1998) presented a distribution of defects in window frames that is intrinsically associated with the occurrence of these pathologies. The results shown by the authors indicate that 23% of the defects are associated with poor sealing, 23% are concentrated in problems in latches and locks, 19% are related to the difficulty in sliding, 17% are concentrated in the gaskets, 12% are related to vibration problems and 7% to the lack of square. Moch (2009) states the predominance of infiltration in frames occurs in the two opposite horizontal edges: the sill and the lintel.

Infiltrations at sill interfaces
According to Moch (2009), when they occur on the horizontal underside of the sills, the infiltrations predominate at the ends (butt joints). The author states that the putty or plaster and the paint can become deteriorated and discolored, and this occurs because of the poor sealing between 5 the window and the masonry lining, due to the lack of trimming of the sills or the appearance of cracks in the transition area between the window and the sills, through which moisture penetrates.
When there is no barrier to the penetration of moisture on the upper face of the sill, it is common for infiltration to occur along its entire length, which can be aggravated by its inadequate slope. In this sense, an interesting possibility to protect against moisture is the extension of the sill after the vertices are generated with the side faces of the window, in addition to sealing barriers on the upper face of the sill (Moch, 2009).

Infiltrations at lintel interfaces
Infiltration through cracks in the upper edge of the frame (lintel) is also common. This can occur because of poor sealing at the interface, due to the absence or ineffectiveness of some barrier.
An unfavorable slope can also drive precipitation into the window instead of away from it.

Waterproofing
The Brazilian standard NBR 9575 (ABNT, 2010) establishes requirements and recommendations for the selection and design of waterproofing to ensure the minimum permissible and necessary protection to buildings against infiltration and other adversities.
With this objective, the standard defines and characterizes waterproofing projects with graphic and descriptive data. Such projects are subdivided into three stages, namely: preliminary study, basic waterproofing Project, and executive waterproofing project. During the execution of these projects, attention should be paid to critical points, where infiltration cases predominantly reoccur, such as drains, joints, edges, connections, among others. In a waterproofing system, important information such as hydrostatic pressure, frequency of humidity in the location, insolation, loads, movement, among others, are considered. Briefly and practically, this information is detailed below.

Floor performance and sagging
According to NBR 9575 (ABNT, 2010), the finished floor must have a minimum fall of 1% for the drains. Edges and corners should be rounded or chamfered for better interaction of the surfaces with the waterproofing material, due to smoother angles. The rigidity of the fixation of the drains provides water tightness and allows for the best finish of the waterproofing material. 6 According to Righi (2009), drains are among the most susceptible points in waterproofing systems. The finishing of the waterproofing product is done in overlapping and successive layers that can penetrate through the opening. There are appropriate textiles that increase the resistance of liquid waterproofing products and there are also asphalt blankets. The collectors must have diameters larger than the pipes that follow them, with a minimum of 75 mm. The surround of the drain should be lowered to allow for proper installation of the waterproofing layer to the inside of the drain to avoid infiltration of moisture by capillarity.

Baseboards
The NBR 9575 (ABNT, 2010) standard determines that the waterproofing layer must extend along the walls up to a height of 20 cm from the finished floor or up to 10 cm above the maximum level that the water reaches.
To install the waterproofing layer, an indentation is necessary on the surface of the vertical plane (wall) that will receive it. This indentation should be at least 3 cm and extend 20 cm from the finished floor. A galvanized mesh can be installed over the waterproofing layer to help fix it and the coating grout.

Drip
Drip is an artifice in eaves, gutters, platbands, and sills whose purpose is to prevent water from running down the underlying walls and helping to prevent infiltration (Righi, 2009). Its thermal insulation and mechanical protection must be done after the waterproofing.
According to Moraes (2002), "the success of waterproofing depends on a series of details and most water tightness problems are located at critical points, specific singularities for each construction".
Considering the project phase, among the causes of waterproofing problems it is possible to list: absence of a waterproofing project, inadequate materials, poor design of water runoff collectors, interference of other projects with the waterproofing project, among others.
Among the waterproofing problems associated with the execution phase, the following stand out deficiency of the regularization grout, which allows the perforation of the waterproofing layer; the intersection of non-rounded planes (edges and vertices); application of asphalt waterproofing over a humid base, harming adherence and allowing the formation of bubbles, which can cause detachment and rupture of the waterproofing material; lack of cleaning of the base, which affects the adherence of the waterproofing layer; sharp corners in the joints; filling of joints with grout that can be loosened by 8 life span and the size is the nomenclature. We can say that they are "less" and "more" dangerous cracks due to these differences, but they are all still cracks.

CASE STUDY
Before starting the case study, it is important to bring up some important works that have addressed reforms and analysis of structures in long-stay institutions.
Silva (2016)  In November 2020, still at the beginning of the rainy season, the first technical visit to the nursing home was carried out, in which the need for emergency improvements in the structure of the building was verified. The occurrence of numerous pathologies was observed, the main ones being: infiltration through the floor, walls, and slabs; mold, padding, and peeling paint on the ceiling and walls; pathologies related to the movement of the structure, such as fissures, cracks, and cravices; broken, uneven and uneven floors; and poor air circulation in rooms and living areas.
It is important to point out that these inspections were initial, aiming to get to know the conditions of the shelter better and to structure a project conception for its renovation. Some pathologies not identified in the first visit were verified in the second, such as leaking pipes in the slab, insufficient drainage, disconnected gutters, differential ground settlement in the external area, irregular doors and frames, among others. All these problems can be seen in Figures 1 and 2.
Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 2, it can be seen that the wet regions are the same, even though the images were registered four months apart. In the March 2021 visit, a drip was detected on the water tank outlet pipe (supply), which points to a possible leak in the system, either directly in the tank material, which is visibly deformed, or in the pipe, connections, or special parts (valves, valves, etc.).
Another point to be observed is that, as the slab has no roof and, therefore, is directly exposed to the sun, the pipes are dry and increasing the system's losses, not serving its purpose, which is to supply the water outlets (taps, showers, etc.). In addition, it is not possible to identify in the photos the presence of the thief, necessary piping for situations in which the tap stops working, increasing the chances of a leak occurring. These leaks need to be verified in another inspection but may be responsible for the high values of the asylum's water bills, as reported by its administration. In addition, it can be seen from the above images that reinforced concrete slabs and exposed balconies are susceptible to water infiltration through the pores of the material, which leads to other negative consequences, as seen in the following images.
In Figure 3, besides the pathologies to be pointed out in the sequence of this document, the precarious conditions of the bathroom facilities are highlighted, which, although not so visible in the image, are recurrent in all of the building's facilities. At this point, it is of concern to point out that according to Lopes (2018), mold and moisture can directly affect health, as moldy areas produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants, and sometimes toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes; they can also cause asthma attacks. Those who live with these problems are more likely to develop respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies, or asthma in addition to being able to affect their immune system.
Also according to Lopes (2018), some people are more sensitive to the presence of these pathologies than others and should stay away from moisture and mold, including infants and children; elderly people; those with existing skin problems, such as eczema; people with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma; those with a weakened immune system.
In Figure 4, as well as in the pictures presented previously, you can see the destruction of the paint, which crumbles and detaches from the surface along with parts of the plaster. In the construction phase, this problem occurs when the paint is applied before the plaster is cured; however, after years of use of the building, it is associated with excessive moisture in the structural and sealing elements. 14 compromising of the building's performance (water tightness, durability, acoustic insulation, etc.) and the psychological embarrassment that cracking exerts on its users.
In this aspect, Figure 5 presents this characteristic pathological manifestation with high occurrence in reinforced concrete structures: cracking. The same figure also shows another recurring problem, the exposure, and corrosion of reinforcement. which the concrete is fresh and in the phase in which it is already hardened. It is necessary to know the size of the openings, their extension, and whether they are still moving or have stabilized. Figure 6 shows yet another pathology found in the facilities of the asylum, the exposure, and corrosion of reinforcement, which is closely related to the opening of cracks. This is a process of material deterioration through chemical and electrochemical oxidation reactions. In other words, the corrosion of steel is its transformation into rust.
The corrosion of reinforcing steel progresses from the surface of the bar towards its interior, where the gradual replacement of the steel section by rust occurs. Corrosion of reinforcing steel can lead to the appearance of stains in the concrete, but its most serious consequence is related to expansion. The structures most susceptible to corrosion are those that are constantly wetting and drying, especially when the water is contaminated by salts. As in the asylum, the slabs are exposed, their structure also fits in this group of structures more prone to corrosion.
In Figure 6, one can observe the occurrence of pathologies already presented, but with a different origin. This is moisture by capillarity, which rises from the ground and occurs in the foundations of buildings, due to soil conditions. When there are no obstacles, the humidity quickly advances in the walls. It also occurs due to materials that have capillary channels, such as ceramic blocks, concrete, mortar, among others. In this context, rising dampness is one of the pathologies that cause dampness in buildings (by capillarity), which can cause various damages, such as  Stains at the base of the buildings (observed in Figure 7);  Destruction of coatings, due to the formation of sulfate;  Formation of mold and mildew (seen in Figure 7);  Increased heat dispersion from the inside of the building;  Cold masonry, where condensation phenomena are evident;  Unhealthy environment;  Peeling of the coatings due to salt crystallization (observed in Figure 7). Figure 7 shows the pathologies described above, but now with an emphasis on the return that occurred within four months, precisely during the rainy season in the region. It is noteworthy that changes in the coatings can impair the performance and basic functions of the building, such as the aesthetic and economic value, the water tightness of the sealant, the regularization, and the finishing of the facade.

CONCLUSIONS
This work presents a brief literature review on some of the main pathologies caused by infiltration and excess moisture in reinforced concrete buildings, using a case study on the current state of the Carlos Romeiro asylum, in Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais.
As can be seen from what has been exposed, the core of most shelter pathologies is the humidity caused by infiltration into the soil, slabs, and walls. Thus, it is essential to intervene in the root cause, aiming at improving the building's performance in the long term, in detriment to actions that are merely palliative. Cover slabs, gutters, and roofs are directly exposed to sun and rain. For this reason, the waterproofing of these areas requires a product that, in addition to being watertight, follows the structure's movements, even resulting from temperature variations, and which also helps in the comfort of the environment, reducing internal temperatures.
Thus, the priority of intervention to repair the pathologies presented above must start from the waterproofing of all exposed concrete slabs. For this, there are two options: installation of a covering and/or application of a waterproofing blanket. Before that, however, it is necessary to inspect all the pipes that are also exposed on the slabs, as they are dry and with possible sources of leaks. Those that are without functionality must be replaced. The watertight condition of the reservoirs must also be checked and the pipes and surface drainage devices must be clean and unobstructed.
All of these interventions are always proposed with the idea that the Carlos Romeiro asylum is an institution for the collective residence of the elderly and that, normally, these are places for elderly people who need support and protection. In this sense, when it comes to an institution whose main objective is to ensure the health, quality of life, and well-being of the elderly, the adaptation of buildings to human needs and regulatory technical standards are fundamental.