Rising damp in historical buildings: A Venetian perspective

Abstract

A B S T R A C TConsidering several real case studies, moisture distribution due to rising damp in Venetian brick masonries is discussed and empirical models are developed. Moisture content and soluble salt data of 25 historical buildings in Venice are analysed. Data are scrutinized using statistical methods, obtaining contour plots and estimating the validity of linear and non-linear models. The models confirm that masonries are usually soaked with water till 120-150 cm over sea level, while the evaporation zone ranges in height from 200 cm to 350 cm. In the perpendicular section, moisture distribution depends on several contingent factors such as, among them, the proximity and the exposition of the external façades to the water action.

An efficient numerical model for liquid water uptake in porous material and its parameter estimation

“…Nowadays efficient energy consumption of buildings is one of the most challenging tasks. In case of the historical buildings, this problem has to deal not only with the energy performance but also with the building protection itself [8,32]. The study of moisture's amount in the building walls takes the largest part for energy reduction since it can raise the heat loss through the walls.…”

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Water on Historic Brickwork Masonry

“…To simulate typical moisture conditions, Smith [17] proposed conjectural models, validated by data collected by other scholars [18][19][20][21][22]. From a macroscopic point of view, it is possible to recognize at least three sections in a wall affected by rising damp: the lowest, which is always characterized by a critical level of water content, the uppermost, where the amount of water is not to be considered pathological, and the intermediate, where the amount of water changes cyclically depending on the environmental conditions.…”

Preliminary mathematical and numerical transient models of convective heating and drying of a brick

“…What is the most important the presence of the moisture in the masonry walls may lead to growth of mildew and microorganisms which may cause health problems of the occupants [5]. Transfer phenomena in the building material are very slow and moisture might be accumulated for long time, especially in historical buildings [6,7]. Therefore, renovation of the damp walls is very important.…”