Janssens, Kaat; Marincioni, Valentina; Van Den Bossche, Nathan; (2025) The Critical Depth of Moisture-Related Degradation in Masonry Facades. In: Moisture in Buildings. ICMB 2025. (pp. pp. 186-194). Springer: Cham, Switzerland.

Text 250704_ICMB_accepted_KJ.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 24 October 2026. Download (646kB)

Abstract

Moisture-related degradation in brick facades threatens building durability, especially in the context of climate change. This study presents an improved methodology for assessing hygrothermal risks by identifying the critical depths within masonry walls where degradation is most likely to occur. Using an extensive set of simulations, the research evaluates how variables such as wall orientation, insulation, brick type, and rain exposure influence internal moisture conditions. By pinpointing key investigation points—referred to as critical depths—the approach enables risk assessments to focus only on the most relevant layers of the wall. This targeted evaluation significantly reduces computational time and energy use without compromising accuracy. The findings contribute to more sustainable simulation practices and offer a practical framework for preserving brick facades under evolving environmental conditions.

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