Abstract
Damaging of building materials is directly connected to the salt crystallization. The present research is based on removal of NaCl from compound building materials, where a direct current (DC) electric field was applied to the mortar plus bricks system. The main objective of this work is to investigate the electrokinetic desalination methodology that can provide sufficient removal of salts. pH neutralization in the surrounding of mortar plus bricks system is crucial to obtain sufficient desalination. For this purpose, the electrodes across the brick were inserted in kaolin clay mixed with buffer agents to suppress the pH changes. Most of the experiments were performed with kaolin clay and sponge. The concentration of chloride ions and sodium ions in all the segments and clay poultice was measured using argentometric titration method and flame photometer, whereas the pH variations in the entire system was measured by using pH indicator papers. The electrokinetic desalination was found to be an efficient method as 86 % removal of chloride and 80 % removal of sodium was achieved.
Highlights
Fired-clay bricks are an important part of building materials
In this work total five experiments were performed for electrokinetic desalination
Five mortar plus brick system were used for different purpose, first sample was used as a reference, second sample was used to diffusion experiment (KK-D), third sample was used to perform electro-kinetic experiment with kaolin clay (KK-E), fourth sample was used to perform electro-kinetic experiment use buffering agents in kaolin clay and fifth sample was used to perform electro-kinetic treatment with sponge
Summary
Fired-clay bricks are an important part of building materials. These are used for construction of Masajids, railway stations, gardens, private houses and many other buildings. The bricks are appreciated in the entire world, but regrettably many bricks suffer from severe decay, especially those classified as culture heritage. The crystallization of water soluble salts play a main role in the decay in both modern and historical buildings [1,2,3]. The crystallization of salts take place in the pores of porous materials and they increase the pressure on wall of building materials, cause to damage the building materials. The damage to the building material requires the completion of an intervention that safeguards the building, especially culture heritage where the loss of materials can be considered unacceptable
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
