A armação do concreto no Brasil: história da difusão da tecnologia do concreto armado e da construção de sua hegemonia

Abstract

Reinforced concrete as a construction method was introduced in Brazil in the beginning of the 20th century. At first it was a patented product, only applied to special tasks, such as bridges and viaducts. After 1930, due to political, economic and social changes and the related process of industrialisation and urbanisation, the use of reinforced concrete increased, in particular in the building construction branch. Since the mid-century it has been the hegemonic construction method in this country, determining not only most of the building practice, but also construction engineering research and architectural and engineering education. Reinforced concrete is usually considered the most convenient building material for the Brazilian circunstances: it is relatively safe and unexpensive, it does not require highly skilled labour, and it allows for innovative experimentation in architectural form and structural engineering. These features concurred to the development of the internationally recognised "Brazilian school of reinforced concrete" and "Brazilian modern architecture". But reinforced concrete also has negative sides, from environmental degradation to inflexiblity. Most of all, its hegemony has widen the gap between building practice and technical knowledge, disqualifying building workers. This dissertation investigates, in historical and social terms, how the hegemony of the construction method of reinforced concrete was engendered in Brazil, having as instruments the curricula of architectural and civil engeneering courses, the technical standards, the urban regulation and an intensive marketing strategy.