Currently, Living Wall Systems (LWSs) are assuming great importance in the built environment, due to environmental and aesthetic advantages, as well as the use of urban residual space and Galvanized Steel underutilized surfaces of buildings. However, the maintenance and Galvanized Steel the durability of the materials used have been a challenge for architects and professionals in the field. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the anti-corrosion performance of a steel framing profile, galvanized carbon steel (55% Al-Zn), a sustainable material with easy assembly, to apply LWS in the hot and humid tropical climate of Niterói (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). In order to create the conditions of the tests, “X” cut were made in Al-Zn coating, sanding, and application of epoxy and glass fiber-reinforced polyester. After the experiments that lasted four months, the 55% Al-Zn coating was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results of the tests were promising for the use of this galvanized steel for application as a support for green vertical facades. 55% Al-Zn coatings are recommended for marine atmospheres due to their good anti-corrosion performance.
According to Mascaró & Mascaró [1] , the shapes that make up the natural landscape should be better exploited in order to create continuity between nature and the built space, producing a gradual transition from purely built, i.e. artificial, to the natural environment through organic nuances.
The proposal of the use of residual urban space and of underutilized areas of buildings for alternative elements harmonized with nature, looking to encourage the gardens for green roofs and façades, can improve, significantly, the pollution in cities. However, to become quantitative, a replacement of 10% – 20% of conventional roofs would be required [2] [3] .
In tropical, hot and humid climates, one of the important roles of vegetation is shade, whose purpose is to reduce the heat during the year, in addition to decreasing the surface temperatures of the floors and facades of buildings, as well as reducing heat felt by the residents of the urban environment [1] .
As an example of an efficient job in urban green areas, the building of the California Academy of Sciences in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park can be cited, which has a green roof of 10,000 m2, designed by architect Renzo Piano. This allows a pleasant surrounding transition tree landscape and connects the building to the park, absorbing a great part of the incident rainwater per year, equivalent to 14 million liters [4] .
Fedrizzi et al. [5] state that the market of furniture for gardens is growing continuously, considering the well-being of industrialized countries, and different materials can be used to produce such furniture. Wood and plastic materials are often used, but they have some disadvantages to be considered, such as: discoloration and degradation by Ultraviolet Radiation (UV), as well as low mechanical resistance in the case of plastic artifacts, while high production costs and high maintenance are associated with wooden artifacts. Metal substrates such as aluminum or coated steel are preferred, especially considering that the mechanical resistance is good. Still, according to Fedrizzi et al. [5] , garden furniture is usually exposed to aggressive environments, resulting in damage on the surface that should be avoided, especially for aesthetic reasons.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the anti-corrosion performance of carbon steel galvanized support used in the manufacture of green facades.