Waterproof Roofing System Pathology Phenomenology Analysis as a Background Support for Diagnosis and Design

Waterproofing membranes are subjected to thermal, physical, chemical, and mechanical actions, which generate interactive stresses in the cover system. Theseinteractions,whichaffectlifeexpectancy ofmembranes, depend onthechosen technical solution of the flat roof system, materials used, geographical locations, climate and weather conditions, construction method and usage. Therefore, waterproofmembraneissubjectedtostressesvaryingovertimeandspace,whichdepend on decisions and actions taken during planning, construction, and management phases. As for other engineering fields, the definition of procedures for the analysis of stress phenomena, which occur mainly on the waterproofing element, would be desirable. Of course, this would imply the development of focused experimental test methods based on more sophisticated instruments like DMA. Modelling of aging phenomena and early decay may serve as a tool of knowledge, able to ameliorate materials and direct and optimize the design towards more reliable construction systems, avoiding a blind and exclusive reference to codes of practice.