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PRO110

Determination of moisture distribution in Brick Masonry walls



Author(s): Poul Klenz Larsen
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the International RILEM Conference
Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering 2016 segment on
Historical Masonry
Editor(s): Inge Rörig-Dalgaard and Ioannis Ioannou
ISBN: 978-2-35158-178-0
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-179-7
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 198-207
Total Pages: 10
Language : English


Abstract: A dielectric probe developed for vertical soil moisture measurement was adapted for
horizontal use in solid masonry walls. The instrument provided at detailed moisture profile of
the wall in several positions. The moisture distribution over the cross section was determined
and the source of moisture was identified. This methodology is suitable for in-situ
experiments, but the use is limited by the invasive nature. The paper presents two cases: A
14th century building at Frederiksborg Palace was exposed to rising damp. Cement mortar
joints were replaced with lime mortar to accelerate the natural drying of the masonry above
ground. No effect of this intervention could be identified after one year. The source of
moisture from below was probably too abundant to be counterbalanced by evaporation. A
15th century garden wall at Marielyst Palace was subjected to a vertical migration of water
from an elevated terrain at the back side. A cement render at the front side protected the wall
against wind driven rain, but reduced the evaporation of moisture from the wall. The wall
should either have better protection against moisture from the back side, or a render which is
more open to evaporation at the front side.


Online publication : 2016
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00


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