Measurements of water penetration and leakage in masonry wall: Experimental results and numerical simulation

Abstract

The investigation of moisture transfer in building materials is of great importance for the characterization of performance-related durability, water resistance and thermal performance. The aim of this study is to develop a numerical model using finite elements to simulate the behavior of a masonry wall and compare the results with those of the water penetration and leakage test. It was considered in this model that moisture movement is governed by capillary absorption. A large-scale wall was built with a frontal surface of rendering mortar. The prototype consisted of a large-wall specimen of a 1.20 m wide and 1.20 m tall masonry wall with a 0.02 m thick lining, comprised of a total of 25 concrete blocks. In total, three walls were produced with three types of mortar, varying the degree of replacement of natural sand (0%, 50 and 100%) in the composition of the bedding and rendering mortars. The tests were conducted for a period of 7 h, according to the experimental water penetration and leakage test, described in ASTM E514-90. The formation of appearance of dampness (percentage area of dampness) and the sorptivity characteristics of the blocks and bedding mortar were also evaluated at the end of the test. The moisture values predicted by the model were compared to the experimental data through a measurement error. The results indicated good agreement with the actual moisture measurements and experimental results obtained in an experimental large-scale wall (prototype test).