Water repellent influence on salt crystallisation in masonry
Ημερομηνία
2017Source
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction MaterialsVolume
161Issue
1Pages
17-23Google Scholar check
Metadata
Εμφάνιση πλήρους εγγραφήςΕπιτομή
This paper assesses the effectiveness and effects of a water repellent (sodium methylsiliconate in aqueous solution) on crystallisation in stone and brick masonry materials. The salt crystallisation method adopted in this study is based on capillary rise, concentration by evaporation and consequent crystallisation and prevention of efflorescence by surface treatment. The results confirm that cryptoflorescence (salt growth within pores) is considerably more damaging than efflorescence (salt growth on surfaces). They also provide strong evidence that treatment with sodium methylsiliconate can have a harmful effect on masonry materials and may promote their decay by suppressing the capillary transport of water and salt solution to the surface, thus forcing the formation of cryptoflorescence. This paper assesses the effectiveness and effects of a water repellent (sodium methylsiliconate in aqueous solution) on crystallisation in stone and brick masonry materials. The salt crystallisation method adopted in this study is based on capillary rise, concentration by evaporation and consequent crystallisation and prevention of efflorescence by surface treatment. The results confirm that cryptoflorescence (salt growth within pores) is considerably more damaging than efflorescence (salt growth on surfaces). They also provide strong evidence that treatment with sodium methylsiliconate can have a harmful effect on masonry materials and may promote their decay by suppressing the capillary transport of water and salt solution to the surface, thus forcing the formation of cryptoflorescence.