"Electro-physical" methods to stop rising damp: Assessment of the effectiveness in two case studies

Barbara Lubelli, Rob van Hees, Linda Miedema, M. Fugazzotto, A. Sardella, A. Bonazza

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

Rising damp is a recurrent hazard to ancient buildings and its relevance is expected to increase in future, due to climate changes. In spite of the large diffusion of methods and products to stop rising damp, scientific literature on their effectiveness in the field is often scarce and not conclusive. This is particularly true for recent solutions; examples are the “electro-physical” methods, which are currently flourishing in many countries. These methods are often lacking a scientifically based proof of their working principles and effectiveness. Within the JPI-CH project EMERISDA, the effectiveness of two different commercial electro-physical devices was investigated in two case-studies. The devices were positioned in such a way as to include humid walls under the influence of the device as well as humid walls, comparable in orientation and structure, out of its reach, to be used as reference. The effectiveness of the devices was assessed by collection of samples at different heights and depths in the walls and gravimetric determination of their moisture content. Conclusions are drawn on the effectiveness of the methods by comparing the moisture content before and one year after the intervention, taking into account the variation in moisture content in the reference walls.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International RILEM Conference Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering 2016
Subtitle of host publicationSegment on Historical Masonry
EditorsInge Rörig-Dalgaard, Ioannis Ioannou
Place of PublicationParis, France
PublisherRILEM Publications S.A.R.L.
Pages195-204
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)978-2-35158-179-7
ISBN (Print)978-2-35158-178-0
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventInternational RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering : Conference segment on Concrete with Supplementary Cementitious Materials - Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Duration: 22 Aug 201624 Aug 2016
http://www.conferencemanager.dk/MSSCE2016/home.html

Conference

ConferenceInternational RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Abbreviated titleMSSCE 2016
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityLyngby
Period22/08/1624/08/16
Internet address

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