Risk assessment and mitigation through hydrothermal modeling of historic masonry

Author(s): Roald Hayen, Sebastiaan Godts
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: 218-227
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: Rainwater migration through masonry walls is a recurrent concern for the restoration of

cultural heritage, both at their exterior and interior surfaces, causing damage due to freeze-
thaw action, salt crystallization, biological growth, staining, etc. Solving such problems

requires an understanding of the migration of moisture throughout the masonry structure.
Material characterization combined with computer modelling of the combined heat and
moisture mass transport can assist to evaluate the actual state of conservation and possible
restoration measures to mitigate the risks. Essential hereto is the characterization of the
material properties related to heat and moisture transport, especially the pore structure
characteristics of the materials involved. The limits and possibilities of such an approach in
practice are illustrated with two cases: the 18th century Saint Nicholas’ church of Aaigem and
an Art Nouveau style residential house in south-east Antwerp developed around 1904. Both
edifices exhibit damage related to rainwater migration at their west wall. However, structural
differences and varying material properties required entirely different approaches to mitigate
the problems caused by the rainwater penetration.

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