Evaluation of Applied Remediation Works on Historical Masonry Wall Exposed to Long-Term Deterioration

Abstract

<jats:p>The exposure of massive historical masonry walls to varying climatic conditions represents a crucial factor for long-term damage related to moisture and soluble salts increase. Moisture movement in the porous structure of massive historical masonry wall driven by capillary forces is usually connected with transport of salt solutions, which can be responsible for a severe damage. Because of missing damp-proof insulation layers, the moisture ingress carrying soluble salt from the ground especially during winter periods is not prevented from. This study is aimed on the evaluation of the effect of commonly used restoration works on the conservation of an exposed building. The influence of applied precautions was continuously monitored by time-domain reflectometry probes in various depths and heights of the studied masonry wall located in the basement of a residential house in Prague, Czech Republic. Based on the obtained results, taking into account also the influence of indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity variations monitored by combined temperature/relative humidity sensors, the wall drying process and the success of applied methods is analyzed.</jats:p>

Which methods are suitable to assess the effectiveness of chemical injection treatments in the laboratory?

“…and water supply from the ground (depth of the water table, infiltrations of rain in the soil, leakage from pipes, etc.) [32][33];…”

“…-the difficulty in performing an accurate and unbiased moisture measurement in heterogeneous and often salt-laden historic bricks [9,34]; -the limited possibility to destructively collect samples for characterization, especially in heritage buildings, where the authorities in charge of conservation do not allow the collection of large samples. This is a problem for the assessment of the drying effectiveness of the repair measures, but also for research, as it hinders a proper understanding of the reasons for the success or failure of the repair [3]; -the long time necessary for walls drying in humid climates [29], non-ventilated buildings and thick walls [32].…”