Portable probe gas permeability: a non-destructive test for the in-situ characterisation of historic masonry

Abstract

A B S T R A C T R I~ S U M I~Architecturally appropriate and technically effective conservation and maintenance of historic masonry requires meaningful characterisation of existing materials. Sampling from important historic monuments is often not alowed, so there is a need for non-destructive in-situ test. Portable probe gas permeability, developed for use in petroleum reservoir studies, has the clear potential for application in practical conservation. In particular the application of gas permeametry in-situ may help in the study of weathering and decay of historic masonry materials. A pilot experiment was carried out to evaluate the applicability of steady state portable probe permeametry for the in-situ characterisation of historic natural sandstone masonry. The in-situ surface gas permeability of recently cleaned and original un-cleaned ashlar sandstone masonry was compared and the repeatability and variability of the measurements was evaluated. The method was found to be capable of assessing the permeability contrast of the cleaned and un-cleaned sandstone, though some limitations of the test method were identified. La pr&ervation architecturale et technique appropri&s ainsi que l'entretien des mafonneries de monuments historiques exigent la caract&isation pertinente des mat&iaux existants. Cependant, l'&hantillonnage des monuments historiques n'~tant pas souvent autoris~, un besoin urgent d' essais non-destructifs in-situ

Characterization and Analysis of the Mortars of the Church of Santo Domingo in Quito (Ecuador)

“…of heritage samples [18]. Due to the value and historical importance of the coatings used in this temple, we had to determine, in addition to those mentioned above, their chemical, physical, and mechanical structure [19,20]. The use of different microscopic techniques as a fundamental aspect of data processing allowed us to visualize the precise characterization of binders, aggregates, additives, inorganic mixtures, etc.…”

Surface permeability of natural and engineered porous building materials

“…Non-destructive and cost-efficient mini or probe permeametry has become an important tool, which can quickly provide data for both ex situ laboratory and in situ field permeability measurements (Chandler et al, 1989;Davis et al, 1994;Dreyer et al, 1990;Dutton and Willis, 1998;Eijpe and Weber, 1971;Fossen et al, 2011;Goggin, 1988;Goggin et al, 1993;Hornung and Aigner, 2002;Huysmansa et al, 2008;Iversen et al, 2003;Rogiers et al, 2011;Sharp Jr. et al, 1994). Valek et al (2000) developed a surface permeability device to examine the difference in permeability of weathered versus cleaned historic sandstone masonry. Filomena et al (2013) studied sandstone using two permeameter cells suitable for measuring bulk gas permeability in 79 the laboratory and using two mini permeameters designed for measuring surface gas permeability in the field, and found the two to be strongly correlated.…”