“Electro-physical” methods to stop rising damp. Assessment of the effectiveness in two case studies

Author(s): Barbara Lubelli, Rob P.J. van Hees, Linda Miedema, M. Fugazzotto, A. Sardella, A.Bonazza
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: 208-217
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: Rising damp is a recurrent hazard to ancient buildings and its relevance is expected to increase
in future, due to climate changes. In spite of the large diffusion of methods and products to stop
rising damp, scientific literature on their effectiveness in the field is often scarce and not
conclusive. This is particularly true for recent solutions; examples are the “electro-physical”
methods, which are currently flourishing in many countries. These methods are often lacking a
scientifically based proof of their working principles and effectiveness. Within the JPI-CH
project EMERISDA, the effectiveness of two different commercial electro-physical devices
was investigated in two case-studies. The devices were positioned in such a way as to include
humid walls under the influence of the device as well as humid walls, comparable in orientation
and structure, out of its reach, to be used as reference. The effectiveness of the devices was
assessed by collection of samples at different heights and depths in the walls and gravimetric
determination of their moisture content. Conclusions are drawn on the effectiveness of the
methods by comparing the moisture content before and one year after the intervention, taking
into account the variation in moisture content in the reference walls.

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