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

S.k. Shahreza; M. Molnár; J. Niklewski; I. Björnsson; Tomas Gustavsson

doi:10.1201/9781003098508-86

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

S.k. Shahreza, M. Molnár, J. Niklewski, I. Björnsson, Tomas Gustavsson

Division of Structural Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Paper in conference proceeding › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020), July 5-8, 2020, Kraków, Poland
Editors	Jan Kubica, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, Łukasz Bednarz
Publisher	CRC Press/Balkema
Pages	617-623
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003098508
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003098508-86
Publication status	Published - 2020 Jul 3
Event	17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020) - Krakow, Sweden Duration: 2020 Jul 5 → 2020 Jul 8

Conference

Conference	17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020)
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Krakow
Period	2020/07/05 → 2020/07/08

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Building Technologies

Access to Document

10.1201/9781003098508-86

1 Specialist publication article
1 Doctoral Thesis (compilation)

Water Penetration in Solid Clay Brick Masonry and its Mitigation by Repointing
Kahangi, M., 2024 Jul 31, Lund: Department of Building and Environmental Technology, Lund University. 123 p.
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis (compilation)

Open Access
File
Omfogning av tegelfasader
Kahangi, M., Molnár, M., Gustavsson, T., Onno, J. & Planensten, A., 2020 Apr 2, Bygg & teknik, 2/20 3 p.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication or newspaper › Specialist publication article › Popular science

1 Finished

Rational and Relevant Repointing of Clay Brick Facades - Technology, Conservation, and Economics
Molnar, M. (Supervisor), Kahangi, M. (Research student), Frühwald Hansson, E. (Assistant supervisor), Niklewski, J. (Assistant supervisor), Björnsson, I. (Assistant supervisor) & Gustavsson, T. (Assistant supervisor)
Development Fund of the Swedish Construction Industry, Tungt murat och putsat byggande ekonomisk förening (TMPB)
2019/09/02 → 2024/11/30
Project: Research

Cite this

Shahreza, S. K., Molnár, M., Niklewski, J., Björnsson, I., & Gustavsson, T. (2020). Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods. In J. Kubica, A. Kwiecień, & Ł. Bednarz (Eds.), 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 (pp. 617-623). CRC Press/Balkema. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003098508-86

Shahreza, S.k. ; Molnár, M. ; Niklewski, J. et al. / Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods. 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 / Jan Kubica ; Arkadiusz Kwiecień ; Łukasz Bednarz. CRC Press/Balkema, 2020. pp. 617-623

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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",

abstract = "Use of clay brick masonry in fa{\c c}ades 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 = "S.k. Shahreza and M. Moln{\'a}r and J. Niklewski and I. Bj{\"o}rnsson and Tomas Gustavsson",

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doi = "10.1201/9781003098508-86",

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Shahreza, SK , Molnár, M , Niklewski, J , Björnsson, I & Gustavsson, T 2020, Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods. in J Kubica, A Kwiecień & Ł Bednarz (eds), 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. CRC Press/Balkema, pp. 617-623, 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020), Krakow, Sweden, 2020/07/05. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003098508-86

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.; Molnár, M.; Niklewski, J. et al.
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. ed. / Jan Kubica; Arkadiusz Kwiecień; Łukasz Bednarz. CRC Press/Balkema, 2020. p. 617-623.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Paper in conference proceeding › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods

AU - Shahreza, S.k.

AU - Molnár, M.

AU - Niklewski, J.

AU - Björnsson, I.

AU - Gustavsson, Tomas

PY - 2020/7/3

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1201/9781003098508-86

DO - 10.1201/9781003098508-86

M3 - Paper in conference proceeding

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EP - 623

BT - Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry

A2 - Kubica, Jan

A2 - Kwiecień, Arkadiusz

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PB - CRC Press/Balkema

T2 - 17th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference (17thIB2MaC 2020)

Y2 - 5 July 2020 through 8 July 2020

ER -

Shahreza SK , Molnár M , Niklewski J , Björnsson I, Gustavsson T. Making decision on repointing of clay brick facades on the basis of moisture content and water absorption tests results – a review of assessment methods. In Kubica J, Kwiecień A, Bednarz Ł, editors, 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. CRC Press/Balkema. 2020. p. 617-623 doi: 10.1201/9781003098508-86

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

Abstract

Conference

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Access to Document

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Research output

Water Penetration in Solid Clay Brick Masonry and its Mitigation by Repointing

Omfogning av tegelfasader

Projects

Rational and Relevant Repointing of Clay Brick Facades - Technology, Conservation, and Economics

Cite this