Brick masonry response to wind driven rain

Abstract

This study develops an innovative wind tunnel testing methodology for assessing the hygro-mechanical response of brick masonry to wind driven rain. The results highlight that such response depends largely on material properties, rain load characteristics, saturation level and wetting history. Additionally, rain penetration, even during milder rainfall events, induces the degradation in mechanical properties, stress redistribution and curtailing of damage and failure stress thresholds in bricks. Finally, synergies with additional adverse conditions, such as temperature and salts, produce a combined damaging action that can undermine the structural integrity of building elements. Within the research framework, future work is also proposed.