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Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods

Shahreza, S.k. LU ; Molnár, M. LU ; Niklewski, J. LU ; Björnsson, I. LU and Gustavsson, Tomas (2020) 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020) p.617-623
Abstract
Use of clay brick masonry in façades is often motivated by its aesthetic values and durability. Yet, mortar joints exposed to climate agents erode over time, expected to cause elevated moisture content and water absorption. Thus, it is often recommended that 40- to 50-year-old facades should be repointed – a measure which is intrusive and costly. Decision is in many cases taken without a clear evidence that repointing will diminish water absorption and moisture content in the renovated walls. This paper presents the results of a state-of-the-art study on field and laboratory methods to measure moisture content and water absorption in clay brick masonry. For common buildings, use of low cost and time efficient measurement methods is... (More)
Use of clay brick masonry in façades is often motivated by its aesthetic values and durability. Yet, mortar joints exposed to climate agents erode over time, expected to cause elevated moisture content and water absorption. Thus, it is often recommended that 40- to 50-year-old facades should be repointed – a measure which is intrusive and costly. Decision is in many cases taken without a clear evidence that repointing will diminish water absorption and moisture content in the renovated walls. This paper presents the results of a state-of-the-art study on field and laboratory methods to measure moisture content and water absorption in clay brick masonry. For common buildings, use of low cost and time efficient measurement methods is feasible. However, prior to measurements, analysis of technical and climate data combined with a visual inspection might give a rational basis for decision on repointing or other alternative maintenance measures. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry : Proceedings of the 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020), July 5-8, 2020, Kraków, Poland - Proceedings of the 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020), July 5-8, 2020, Kraków, Poland
editor
Kubica, Jan ; Kwiecień, Arkadiusz and Bednarz, Łukasz
pages
617 - 623
publisher
CRC Press/Balkema
conference name
17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020)
conference location
Krakow, Sweden
conference dates
2020-07-05 - 2020-07-08
ISBN
9781003098508
DOI
10.1201/9781003098508-86
project
Rational and Relevant Repointing of Clay Brick Facades - Technology, Conservation, and Economics
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4e3fe90d-2b6e-4d63-8769-0ff7eabc11e2
date added to LUP
2020-08-19 08:05:45
date last changed
2021-12-20 08:57:15
@inproceedings{4e3fe90d-2b6e-4d63-8769-0ff7eabc11e2,
  abstract     = {{Use of clay brick masonry in façades is often motivated by its aesthetic values and durability. Yet, mortar joints exposed to climate agents erode over time, expected to cause elevated moisture content and water absorption. Thus, it is often recommended that 40- to 50-year-old facades should be repointed – a measure which is intrusive and costly. Decision is in many cases taken without a clear evidence that repointing will diminish water absorption and moisture content in the renovated walls. This paper presents the results of a state-of-the-art study on field and laboratory methods to measure moisture content and water absorption in clay brick masonry. For common buildings, use of low cost and time efficient measurement methods is feasible. However, prior to measurements, analysis of technical and climate data combined with a visual inspection might give a rational basis for decision on repointing or other alternative maintenance measures.}},
  author       = {{Shahreza, S.k. and Molnár, M. and Niklewski, J. and Björnsson, I. and Gustavsson, Tomas}},
  booktitle    = {{Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry : Proceedings of the 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020), July 5-8, 2020, Kraków, Poland}},
  editor       = {{Kubica, Jan and Kwiecień, Arkadiusz and Bednarz, Łukasz}},
  isbn         = {{9781003098508}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  pages        = {{617--623}},
  publisher    = {{CRC Press/Balkema}},
  title        = {{Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003098508-86}},
  doi          = {{10.1201/9781003098508-86}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}