The course focuses on the investigation of pathologies existing in buildings, from the phenomena that originated them, the diagnosis and the maintenance proposal. It also addresses topics such as legal measures applicable to the guarantee and the preparation of reports and technical manuals, and presents special topics in: Historical Heritage, Forensic Engineering and BIM (Building Information Modelling).
The Specialization meets the market's need for training qualified professionals in the area. Based on this need, the course emphasizes understanding the phenomena that cause pathologies in buildings, as well as diagnosis and maintenance proposals. It also presents the production of legal documentation, in addition to qualifying the professional in the preparation of use, operation and maintenance manuals, and providing support so that they can quantify depreciation, through the analysis of the building's conditions.
Held online. Candidates must submit their CV. Places are limited and PUCRS reserves the right to modify and/or extend the application period.
Brazilians:
Graduation Diploma:
Copy of the front and back of the undergraduate degree; (for online courses, the copy must be notarized)
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Front and back of the digital graduation diploma (visual representation of the diploma), with validation link and XML file in accordance with ORDINANCE Nº 554, OF MARCH 11, 2019.
In the absence of a diploma, present an original statement of completion of the undergraduate course with the date of graduation. In this case, the STUDENT will receive a Commitment Term in which he/she is responsible for sending the mandatory documentation within the aforementioned deadlines.
For the purposes of enrollment and preparation of the course completion certificate, the student must present, at the time of enrollment UM of the following documents:
Identification document: Simple copy of one of the identification documents listed below:
Civil ID;
Work Portfolio (must include ID, issuing body/state, parentage and place of birth);
Board Portfolio (the document must include the ID and issuing body/state, parentage and place of birth);
CNH (it will be accepted as an identification document if presented together with a complementary document that informs the place of birth – except for the new model);
Birth certificate (it will be accepted as an identification document if presented together with a complementary document that informs the ID and issuing body/state);
Wedding certificate (if there is a name change not recorded on the ID and together with a complementary document informing the ID and issuing body/state).
The documents required for registration must be scanned in JPG, JPEG or PDF format and presented in perfect condition, in order to allow for assessments and compliance with the necessary requirements.
Foreigners:
For admission of candidates holding a degree issued by higher education institutions abroad, the following procedures are required, respectively, before enrolling, so that the documentation is approved by this educational institution:
Full name:
Date of Birth:
Course:
Date of the conclusion:
The institution must forward this declaration directly to the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul – PUCRS via the following address: educon.matriculasls@pucrs.br;
Copy of one of the following documents:
Academic documentation must be submitted within a maximum period of 90 days and in the official language of Brazil (Portuguese) or English or Spanish (if necessary, arrange for translation by a qualified professional).
We would like to point out that the response time (verification and approval of documentation for effective enrollment) will depend exclusively on the response from the foreign institution confirming the requested information.
We also inform that any cost informed by the foreign institution regarding the issuance of the declaration of authenticity or other established requirements will be the responsibility of the person interested in joining PUCRS.
Introduction to Building Pathology. Material Degradation. Concepts: Durability, Performance and Useful Life. Types of Maintenance. Types of Expertise. Life Cycle Approach (LCA) applied to Buildings: basic concepts and elements of an LCA based on the standards NBR ISO 14040 and NBR ISO 14044; analysis of the interrelationships between the concept of environmental sustainability and building performance through LCA; Importance of LCA in the stages of the construction process (manufacturing, transportation, operation and final disposal of materials and systems) used in buildings; types of analysis: from cradle to grave, from cradle to cradle and from cradle to gate applicable to buildings. Presentations of examples and case studies.
Analysis of the legal treatment of construction defects. Comparison of the legal discipline in the Brazilian Civil Code and the Consumer Protection Code. Study of construction guarantees. Investigation of the deadlines for requests for compensation and the position of the Courts. Assessment of expert evidence and the expert's duties.
Introduction to Materials Science and Civil Construction Materials. Microstructure Investigation Techniques. Metallic Materials: ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. Polymeric Materials: plastics in general, bituminous, wood and paints. Ceramic Materials: glass, red ceramic, coatings, mortar and concrete. Characteristics, properties, tests and requirements.
Performance requirements of NBR 15575. Guidance for the preparation of guidelines to meet the standard requirements in the design, specification of materials, components and construction elements, execution procedures, as well as guidance to users (Use and Maintenance Manuals). Identification of what will be necessary to characterize performance by suppliers of materials, components and construction systems. Legal aspects of NBR 15575.
Building systems according to NBR 15575. Pathology of cold water, hot water, sewage, rainwater, fire protection and gas network installations. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
Waterproofing. Types, characteristics and applications. Waterproofing design and execution. Tests and checks. Main waterproofing pathologies. Errors in waterproofing design and application. Waterproofing durability according to NBR 15575. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
History of concrete. Study of basic concepts of concrete technology. Internal structure of the paste. Permeability of concrete. Mechanics of rupture. Study of concrete durability. Classification of damage to concrete. Study of original damage: Design and production phase of concrete. Study of acquired damage: Mechanical (Accidents, Structural, Wear by abrasion and Cavitation); Physical (Shrinkage and slow deformation, Thermal movement, Action of fire, Freeze and thaw); Chemical (Ion exchange) and Physicochemical (Carbonation, Corrosion of reinforcement, Sulphate attack, Leaching and Alkali-aggregate reaction). Methods for estimating the service life of concrete structures: based on previous experiences, based on accelerated tests, deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Mathematical models for predicting the service life of reinforced concrete structures: initiation by carbonation and chlorides. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
Types of internal and external vertical seals. Types, characteristics and functions. Execution premises. Durability of internal and external vertical seals. Origin and mechanisms causing pathological manifestations in internal and external vertical seals. Typical symptoms in sealing masonry, structural masonry, cast-in-situ concrete walls and dry constructions. Structural performance of internal and external vertical seals. Arch effect in masonry and its implications. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
Prefabricated structures: general concepts. Process stages and typical pathologies: Production; Transportation and Assembly. Importance of the structural design and its impact on each stage. Gerber brackets and teeth. Support devices and their positioning. Metal structures and their typical pathologies. Corrosion. Galvanic corrosion. Executive defects. Importance of preventive maintenance. Pathologies characteristic of wooden structures. Humidity and its harmful effect on structures. Rotting. Insect attacks. Importance of knowing the different types of wood. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
History of coatings. Introduction to coating systems. Study of constituent materials. Functions and characteristics of coatings. Study of adhesion mechanisms. Types of systems. Execution of coatings. Restoration and Historical Heritage Works. Study of damage to coatings: humidity, cracking, formation of blisters, peeling, disintegration. Research and applied standardization. Premises for coating projects. Case studies. Preventive and corrective maintenance.
Geotechnical investigation for foundations and retaining walls. Load capacity of shallow and deep foundations and Tschebotarioff effect. Plate test, static load test, dynamic load test and integrity test. Foundation reinforcement. General concepts about retaining structures. Causes of problems in retaining walls. Reinforcement in retaining walls and its impacts. Maintenance, where, when and how to perform it for retaining walls. Case studies.
Main causes for structural reinforcements. Materials and alternatives for reinforcements in reinforced concrete structures. Flexural reinforcements in beams and slabs. Procedures for dimensioning flexural reinforcements. Shear reinforcements. Reinforcements in columns. Reinforcements in concrete canopies. Reinforcements in load-bearing masonry. Executive care in the execution of structural reinforcements. Case studies.
Basics of Fire Safety. SCI Regulation. Behavior of buildings damaged by fire. Inspection of buildings damaged by fire. Main technological tests to aid in diagnosis. Interventions in buildings damaged by fire. Case studies.
Presentation of the expert procedure in light of the New CPC and Technical Standards NBR 13752, NBR 16747/20, NBR 15575 and NBR 5674 as a way of preparing and substantiating the Expert Report; Building Inspection as a procedure for analyzing and characterizing buildings in light of aspects that influence their depreciation, such as: design, execution; construction, hidden and maintenance defects. Identification of physical and/or functional depreciation and its quantification. Presentation of normative concepts and definitions. Case study: Expert Report for resumption of stopped work with estimated depreciation and cost; Expert Report for determining construction damage and respective depreciation in a new building (less than 5 years old); Precautionary Inspection Report in an area of influence due to the implementation of infrastructure work; Neighborhood Inspection Report for damage caused by a neighboring building; Expert Inspection Report due to damage caused by wind; Expert Inspection Report due to infiltration due to poor waterproofing.
Conceptualization and theoretical basis in BIM; Implementation of BIM and challenges in the Brazilian context; Regulatory steps and Standardization; Building Life Cycle; 3D Coordination and Management of notes; Introduction to Asset Management with BIM. Case studies.
Fire from the perspective of Forensic Engineering. Theoretical basis on fire and its development. Identification of burning patterns. Analysis of fire traces. Collapses from the perspective of Forensic Engineering. Presentation and discussion of real cases.
Performance, Design Lifespan and Building Maintenance. Guidelines for preparing and applying the use and operation manual. Definitions, concepts and normative references. Warranty periods – the new standard under development. Project descriptive report. Supplier information. Description, care for use, maintenance and loss of warranty of systems. Maintenance program. Maintenance planning. Responsibilities related to building maintenance. Record of maintenance performance. The building inspection standard. Presentation of case studies.
Inspection Report: Presentation of concepts and definitions. The approach to the pathological problem. The structure of the inspection report. The style and writing. The preparation of the report.
The TCC may be completed within a maximum period of 6 months after completing the courses. The guidance schedules will be defined by each Academic Unit.
Ricardo Girardi
Email: ricardo.girardi@pucrs.br
He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (2011), a master's degree in Civil Engineering (2014), and a PhD in Civil Engineering: Civil Construction and Infrastructure (2018), both from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Between 2009 and 2020, he worked at the Civil Construction Materials Laboratory of the former CIENTEC, where he performed, monitored, and supervised technological tests of various types of materials, and investigated pathologies in various civil construction works. He also held the position of Laboratory Coordinator and Deputy Manager of the Civil Construction Materials Department. In parallel, he has been a professor at PUCRS since 2012. He currently holds the position of Adjunct Professor at the Polytechnic School, member of the Coordination Committee (CC) and the Structuring Teaching Nucleus (NDE) of the Civil Engineering Course and also Coordinator of the Specialization Course in Pathology and Maintenance of Buildings at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. He also works in the Department of Inspection of Road Concessions of the State Secretariat of Partnerships and Concessions (SEPAR), developing activities related to the evaluation of multidisciplinary engineering and infrastructure projects, field inspections, inspection of performance and contractual parameters for Special Art Works (OAEs), Buildings, Pavement, Signaling and Road Safety, Drainage Systems, Embankments and Containment Works, Right-of-Way and Road Lighting Systems.
| Public | Price |
|---|---|
| general public |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 970,00
|
| Groups of 5 to 9 people |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 921,50
|
| Groups of 10 to 19 people |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 897,25
|
| Group of 20 or more people |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 873,00
|
| Students aged 60 and over |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 776,00
|
| Public | Price |
|---|---|
| PUCRS Alumni |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 853,60
|
| Teachers and Administrative Technicians of the Marist Network |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 776,00
|
| Employees of Tecnopuc Companies |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 776,00
|
| PUCRS, HSL, InsCer, Clinical Center and Fijo employees |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 485,00
|
| Public | Price |
|---|---|
| Partner Companies* |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 873,00
|
| Civil servants of RS and their dependents (spouse, partner, ascendants and descendants up to the second degree) |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 776,00
|
| Employees of the Federal Savings Bank |
Registration fee of R$ 970,00 + 18 installments of R$ 776,00
|
From 16/5/2025 to 8/6/2025 – 30% discount - R$679,00
From 9/6/2025 to 29/6/2025- 20% discount - R$776,00
From 30/6/2025 to 20/7/2025 – 15% discount - R$824,50
From 21/7/2025 to 27/7/2025 – 10% discount - R$873,00
The amounts above refer to course registration, the remaining installments are due from the start of the course.
The registration fee must be paid on the date of registration. The differentiated amount for the other installments is granted starting from the first monthly payment of the course. The monthly payments will begin after the beginning of the course, with due date on the 15th of each month, via bank slip.
In the case of cash payment, the student will be granted a 10% discount on the value of all installments.
Requests for a discount for advance payment of the course must be made via email to financeiro@pucrs.br.
After the request, you will be informed of the amount to be paid, bank details for credit, as well as the deadline for advance payment with the respective discount.
If the course is cancelled, the calculation of refund amounts for overdue installments will disregard the discount granted since the registration was paid.
Educational credit allows financing of 50% of the course installments, with a repayment period equivalent to the number of installments used.
For more information or questions, please contact the financial department: creditos@pucrs.br.
Support from PUCRS Carreiras, with training and solid consultancy and advisory work.
Qualified teachers and updated programs for your professional development.
Every year we offer hundreds of internship opportunities and we are a bridge between students and major companies in the market.
PUCRS provides students at the Polytechnic School with different spaces that contribute to the development of practical activities, in addition to complementing the theory developed in the classroom.
The event brought together more than 200 participants from 34 countries and positions the university as a global reference in public innovation and digital transformation
Tuesday, June 17 | 2025
