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Towards rational decision-making on repointing to mitigate moisture damage in building envelopes: A probabilistic study

Kahangi Shahreza, Seyedmohammad LU ; Bayat Pour, Mohsen LU and Abdul Hamid, Akram LU orcid (2024) In Developments in the Built Environment 19.
Abstract
Repointing is a prevalent maintenance practice in Northern Europe aimed at mitigating moisture-related damage in brick masonry buildings. Although commonly used, evidence of its effectiveness is limited. This study assesses repointing’s role in reducing damage risks by conducting a probabilistic hygrothermal analysis of two wall types: timber frame walls and masonry cavity walls. Results indicate that repointing could reduce the mold index in timber frame walls and moisture content in the autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) layer of masonry cavity walls, particularly in walls with visible defects. However, its impact is minimal on walls without significant deficiencies. Moreover, the study suggests that repointing, given its labor-intensive... (More)
Repointing is a prevalent maintenance practice in Northern Europe aimed at mitigating moisture-related damage in brick masonry buildings. Although commonly used, evidence of its effectiveness is limited. This study assesses repointing’s role in reducing damage risks by conducting a probabilistic hygrothermal analysis of two wall types: timber frame walls and masonry cavity walls. Results indicate that repointing could reduce the mold index in timber frame walls and moisture content in the autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) layer of masonry cavity walls, particularly in walls with visible defects. However, its impact is minimal on walls without significant deficiencies. Moreover, the study suggests that repointing, given its labor-intensive and costly nature, may not always be the most judicious maintenance strategy. It recommends a selective repointing approach, suiting the specific conditions and needs of the wall based on its location, orientation, and existing state, rather than a blanket application across all façade sections. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Repointing, Building envelope, Brick masonry, Hygrothermal simulation, Mold assessment, Moisture content
in
Developments in the Built Environment
volume
19
article number
100510
pages
14 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85199680196
ISSN
2666-1659
DOI
10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100510
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f35ec1c0-102f-49eb-a361-f34f42ca0a21
date added to LUP
2024-07-28 14:17:30
date last changed
2024-09-02 15:49:37
@article{f35ec1c0-102f-49eb-a361-f34f42ca0a21,
  abstract     = {{Repointing is a prevalent maintenance practice in Northern Europe aimed at mitigating moisture-related damage in brick masonry buildings. Although commonly used, evidence of its effectiveness is limited. This study assesses repointing’s role in reducing damage risks by conducting a probabilistic hygrothermal analysis of two wall types: timber frame walls and masonry cavity walls. Results indicate that repointing could reduce the mold index in timber frame walls and moisture content in the autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) layer of masonry cavity walls, particularly in walls with visible defects. However, its impact is minimal on walls without significant deficiencies. Moreover, the study suggests that repointing, given its labor-intensive and costly nature, may not always be the most judicious maintenance strategy. It recommends a selective repointing approach, suiting the specific conditions and needs of the wall based on its location, orientation, and existing state, rather than a blanket application across all façade sections.}},
  author       = {{Kahangi Shahreza, Seyedmohammad and Bayat Pour, Mohsen and Abdul Hamid, Akram}},
  issn         = {{2666-1659}},
  keywords     = {{Repointing; Building envelope; Brick masonry; Hygrothermal simulation; Mold assessment; Moisture content}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Developments in the Built Environment}},
  title        = {{Towards rational decision-making on repointing to mitigate moisture damage in building envelopes: A probabilistic study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100510}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100510}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}