Application of a combined computational-experimental approach for the service life estimate of exterior plasters of historical buildings

Abstract

A combined computational-experimental approach for estimating the damage of surface layers of historical buildings is presented in this paper. In the experimental part, the durability of selected plasters is assessed in terms of their frost resistance. In the computational part, a diffusion-type model of coupled heat and moisture transport is used for the identification of the number of frost cycles in a real structure. As a practical example, a historical wall with interior and exterior plasters is chosen. Three types of historical materials of load-bearing structure and three types of plasters are under consideration. The computational and experimental results show that a typical commercial renovation plaster has a sufficient service life for brick, sandstone and arenaceous marl masonry. Common lime plaster can be successfully applied on brick or arenaceous marl only. Hydrophobic lime plaster modified by metakaolin can be recommended for brick or sandstone masonry. © 2009 WIT Press.