How much does your building bow?
Stone has long been used in the construction of buildings. More recently thin layers of stone, such as marble, have been used to cover and beautify the outside of buildings, including many landmarks across Europe. Unfortunately these stone claddings have not withstood the test of time. Deterioration, from bowing and warping to total failure, has raised concerns over safety as well as corrective and preventive maintenance. The TEAM project consortium, led by the SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, was formed to tackle these issues. In order to assess the degree of deformity of such cladding, the Bow-meter instrument was developed and tested on real buildings. Periodic (e.g. annual) data collection can provide insight into the rate of deterioration. This information can then be used to make a complete risk assessment and to define any necessary remedial actions. The TEAM partners developed and described in detail the procedure for using the Bow-meter. These guidelines, and the user-friendliness of the instrument itself, make it easy for non-professionals to use such as the building owners themselves. Furthermore, the Bow-meter does not harm the building façade and it is inexpensive. It can also alternatively be applied to screen stone intended for use in cladding. Further information about this instrument and the guidelines for its use can be obtained from the SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute.
