One of the most efficient tests to verify the safety of a structure already concluded is a load test. When doubts exist about the stability of a structure, due to factors, among other, as quality of the construction materials, use or inadequate maintenance or even a new use of the construction, different from that initially foreseen in the project, a load test is recommended. This work seeks to present the most important criteria that should be considered in a load test. It evaluates procedures of the Brazilian Code (NBR 9607-1986), American Code (ACI 318-2002), Australian Code (AS 3600-2001), Spanish Recommendations (EHE-1998) and European Recommendations (Rilem TBS-2-1984). Aspects as the compulsory nature of a load test, intensity of the applied load, analysis of the results and acceptance criteria stipulated by the referred codes and recommendations are considered.
Structural evaluation; load test; structures, concrete
