Construction type influences features of rising damp of blue-brick masonry walls

Abstract

Abstract The occurrence of rising damp in historical buildings results in material deterioration, energy waste, water-related damage, uncomfortable indoor air, and mould growth. The rising process in a real wall is influenced by the construction types, masonry details, environmental conditions, physical properties of brick and mortar. To clarify the features of rising damp influenced by the construction types in blue-brick masonry walls, a solid wall and a cavity wall made of clay blue bricks and lime mortar with a size of 3\xa0m (high)\xa0×\xa01.2\xa0m (wide)\xa0×\xa00.24\xa0m (thick) were constructed to perform a water rising experiment for 600\xa0days in a closed laboratory. The results demonstrated that the construction types directly affected the rising speed and the height of sharp fronts, which were 192\xa0cm in the cavity wall and 168\xa0cm in the solid wall after 600\xa0days. The calculation model of the moisture rising in the solid wall and cavity wall obeyed the sharp front model of a homogeneous wall; however, the environmental conditions affect the rise of sharp front and moisture distribution. The research expands the understanding of the rising damp in real masonry and provides data supporting the moisture simulation, energy consumption, and heritage conservation of brick masonry.