Journal articles: 'Dampness in buildings'

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Abdul Wahab, Suriani Ngah, Munirah Raden Mokhtar, Md Yusof Hamid, and Nor Amin Mohd Radzuan. "A REVIEW OF THE DAMPNESS-RELATED FACTORS THAT AFFECT BUILDING STRUCTURES. CASE STUDY: UNIVERSITY FACILITY BUILDINGS." International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution 6, no. 17 (June 30, 2024): 130–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.35631/ijirev.617010.

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Dampness, which is frequently caused by water ingress from heavy rainfall, building usage, maintenance practice, condensation, or insufficient ventilation, can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from visible damp patches on walls to less visible but equally insidious effects below the surface. Understanding the factors contributing to dampness is critical for architects, builders, and maintenance professionals looking to protect structures from damaging effects. This paper reports on a finding of unwanted dampness in university facility buildings. The primary goal is to highlight significant issues and propose potential solutions, as well as to raise building owners' awareness of building condition surveys and their relationship to building maintenance management. The condition assessment will bring a wide range of non-destructive equipment to four facility buildings of university. This paper contributed to a better understanding of dampness factors in building structures. It also looks at ways to improve the building's maintenance strategies.

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Oteng Nyarko-Boateng, Franklina Nyadubea Owusu Darko, and Anastasia Akyeamaa Mensah. "Analyzing the origins and consequences of dampness in building structures: A case study at mile 50 in the New Juaben Metropolitan Assembly." Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology 5, no. 2 (November 30, 2023): 017–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.53022/oarjet.2023.5.2.0078.

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Dampness is a continuing cause of distress to building occupants. The effects of dampness have become a major problem when it invades into building. It is also a possible source of or a contributor to illness and it encourages deterioration in the fabric of the building. With an emphasis on existing buildings and some coverage of the design of new buildings, the objectives of this research are to investigate the causes of dampness during and after the construction of buildings, identify the effects of dampness on the building and its occupants and offer recommendations on the above mention issues. The level of dampness causes and effects differ across geographic areas, climates, and building types. A descriptive survey technique was used to gather information about rising damp in the municipality which includes questionnaires, interviews, and personal observations. According to the findings, the condition resulting in rising dampness to the base of walls was the lack of incorporation of damp-proof courses during construction. Also, the problem of rising dampness reoccurs shortly after treatment because of the application of the wrong treatment method as well as the absence of damp treatment specialists. The effects of rising dampness led to damage to plaster work, crumbling of masonry, peeling of paintwork, efflorescence on wall surfaces, uncomfortable, unattractive rooms, and the cost of painting a room or building yearly. From the findings, it is recommended that damp proof courses (DPCs) should be placed through the full thickness of the base of walls below floor level to form an impervious layer that keeps rising damp out of the buildings.

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Zakariyyah, K. I., A. A. Soyingbe, and J. A. Adenekan. "Dampness Patterns in Halls of Residence in Lagos Metropolis: A case study of the University of Lagos." LAUTECH Journal of Civil and Environmental Studies 5, no. 1 (September 27, 2020): 72–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.36108/laujoces/0202/50(0180).

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Studies have established that comfort level, emotional balance, wellbeing and productivity are linked to the functionality of buildings. Functional buildings, however, require less energy for sustainability purposes. To achieve these advantages, there is a need to seek improvement in the existing stock of buildings or procure newer ones. Seeking improvement connotes reducing building defects/failures and improving occupant-comfort. Dampness plagues both new and old buildings and contributes more than 50% of building envelopes’ defects, discomfort, or failure. This study, therefore, examined dampness in halls of residence in selected tertiary institutions in Lagos metropolis, using the University of Lagos as a case study. The objectives were to evaluate the incidence and causes of dampness in the halls of residence in the institution. As a preliminary assessment of dampness evaluation in halls of residence, the institution used is the University of Lagos, as a case study. This is selected based on its location and proximity. The study population consists of undergraduate and postgraduate halls of residence while the sample frame is undergraduate male hostels. The four undergraduate male hostels are taken as the sample size, using the census as the sampling technique. From the four male halls of residence; eighty rooms and two maintenance staff per block were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Analyses were done using mean, percentage, and relative importance index. The results revealed the presence of the four types of dampness, with dampness from leaking pipes as the most prevalent. The dampness originated from a combination of a host of factors, with those emanating from the negligence of maintenance culture and lack of materials/workmanship consideration as the top two causes. The study concluded that symptoms of the four dampness types are in existence in the four sampled halls of residence and the factors causing dampness are many and allen compassing, but if the issue of maintenance and materials/workmanship are professionally handled, dampness will reduce, hence better comfort and building longevity can be guaranteed. The symptoms of buildings deterioration and defects can be minimised with ease of maintenance and through the use of professionals that are apt in the knowledge of materials and components inter-relationship. The study emphasised the significance of a healthy building and recommended that such should be procured with all hands-on deck and handled by the professionals in the built environment.

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Oteng Nyarko-Boateng, Anastasia Akyeamaa Mensah, Franklina Owusu Darko Nyadubea, and Foster Addo Yeboah. "Detection of the root cause and implications of building dampness." Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology 5, no. 2 (November 30, 2023): 027–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.53022/oarjet.2023.5.2.0080.

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Building dampness, arising from excessive moisture accumulation within structures, stands as a pervasive concern impacting buildings and their inhabitants globally. This research tried to unravel the root cause of building dampness and understand its far-reaching implications, encompassing structural integrity and health implications. The research collected data from the site and an in-depth analysis was conducted to ascertain the moisture level and structural integrity of buildings in the selected community. The research results and findings indicate that builders mostly do not apply the appropriate building principles nor seek technical supervision in raising structures. The research also sought to contribute to a deeper understanding of this prevalent issue of dampness in building structures and provided effective mitigation strategies to create healthier and sustainable built environments.

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Blay, Karen, Kofi Agyekum, and Alex Opoku. "Actions, attitudes and beliefs of occupants in managing dampness in buildings." International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 37, no. 1 (February 11, 2019): 42–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijbpa-06-2018-0044.

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PurposeDampness in buildings affects the health of occupants, structural stability and energy efficiency of buildings. Solutions to managing dampness focus on promoting the use of damp-proof construction materials, enhancing methods to avoid the introduction of moisture during construction and creating the awareness on the health effect of dampness. These solutions are incomplete without the identification of behaviours that occupants require to manage dampness. Given that dampness is characterised by the availability of a source, a route for the moisture to travel and driving force for moisture movement, the occupants can be said to play a significant role in contributing to dampness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachAs a result, this study seeks to examine the behaviours of occupants manifested to manage dampness in residential buildings. To achieve the aim, a qualitative research method was employed, under which interviews were carried out. Occupants in households in the northern and southern parts of England were interviewed to identify the actions, attitudes and beliefs in managing dampness.FindingsThe findings revealed actions such as aeration and the use of anti-damp sprays. From the findings, dampness instilled attitudes such as anger, moodiness and unhappiness. In addition, dampness instilled cleaning habits in occupants due to the lack of comfort moulds create and the awareness of its health impact.Research limitations/implicationsThis research also contributes to existing debates on dampness reduction specifically in residential buildings.Originality/valueThe identification of these behaviours creates the awareness for occupants on their roles in managing dampness and how dampness affects their behaviours in addition to the health impact.

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Ashurst, Nicola. "Understanding dampness in historic buildings." Structural Survey 8, no. 3 (March 1990): 268–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eum0000000003223.

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Kong, Xiangrui, Yuexia Sun, Louise B. Weschler, and Jan Sundell. "Dampness problems in Tianjin dwellings: A cross-sectional study of associations with building characteristics and lifestyles." Indoor and Built Environment 28, no. 1 (February 7, 2018): 132–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1420326x18756169.

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This study investigated the association of building characteristics and occupant behaviours with building dampness indicators. Data were from a cross-sectional study in urban Tianjin and rural Cangzhou, China, from 2013 to 2014. We studied two fundamental types of Chinese dwellings: bungalows typical of rural locales and apartments in low- and high-rise buildings typical of urban settings. Occupants of bungalows reported more dampness indicators than apartment dwellers. Risk factors for one or more dampness indicators included natural ventilation without fans, older dwellings and coal stove or Kang heating system (a brick bed installed in the bedroom for heating and sleeping). All these factors were typical of bungalows, which generally used older building technologies including non-insulated external walls, wooden frame windows, electric fans for cooling and no exhaust fan ventilation. Occupant behaviours that decreased the risk for dampness indicators included frequent window opening and daily cleaning, regardless of the type of dwelling. Indoor dampness was highly correlated with mouldy and humid odour, and paradoxically (although not a new finding) with the perception of air dryness.

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Suojalehto, Hille, Joseph Ndika, Irmeli Lindström, Liisa Airaksinen, Kirsi Karvala, Paula Kauppi, Antti Lauerma, Sanna Toppila-Salmi, Piia Karisola, and Harri Alenius. "Transcriptomic Profiling of Adult-Onset Asthma Related to Damp and Moldy Buildings and Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 19 (October 1, 2021): 10679. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910679.

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A subset of adult-onset asthma patients attribute their symptoms to damp and moldy buildings. Symptoms of idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) may resemble asthma and these two entities overlap. We aimed to evaluate if a distinct clinical subtype of asthma related to damp and moldy buildings can be identified, to unravel its corresponding pathomechanistic gene signatures, and to investigate potential molecular similarities with IEI. Fifty female adult-onset asthma patients were categorized based on exposure to building dampness and molds during disease initiation. IEI patients (n = 17) and healthy subjects (n = 21) were also included yielding 88 study subjects. IEI was scored with the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) questionnaire. Inflammation was evaluated by blood cell type profiling and cytokine measurements. Disease mechanisms were investigated via gene set variation analysis of RNA from nasal biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Nasal biopsy gene expression and plasma cytokine profiles suggested airway and systemic inflammation in asthma without exposure to dampness (AND). Similar evidence of inflammation was absent in patients with dampness-and-mold-related asthma (AAD). Gene expression signatures revealed a greater degree of similarity between IEI and dampness-related asthma than between IEI patients and asthma not associated to dampness and mold. Blood cell transcriptome of IEI subjects showed strong suppression of immune cell activation, migration, and movement. QEESI scores correlated to blood cell gene expression of all study subjects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed clear pathomechanisms for AND but not AAD patients. Furthermore, we found a distinct molecular pathological profile in nasal and blood immune cells of IEI subjects, including several differentially expressed genes that were also identified in AAD samples, suggesting IEI-type mechanisms.

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Rymarczyk, Tomasz, Jan Sikora, and Paweł Tchórzewski. "Implementation of electrical impedance tomography for analysis of building moisture conditions." COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering 37, no. 5 (September 3, 2018): 1837–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/compel-01-2018-0034.

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Purpose The paper aims to present an innovative solution for evaluation study of the dampness level of walls and historical buildings. Design/methodology/approach Electrical tomography enables one to obtain a distribution pattern of wall dampness. The application of modern tomographic techniques in conjunction with topological algorithms will allow one to perform very accurate spatial assessment of the dampness levels of buildings. The proposed application uses the total variation, Gauss–Newton and level set method to solve the inverse problem in electrical tomography. Findings Research shows that electrical tomography can provide effective results in damp buildings. This method can provide 2D/3D moisture distribution pattern. Research limitations/implications The impact of this technique will be limited to inspection of the facility after floods or assessment of historical buildings. Practical implications The presented method could eventually lead to a much more effective evaluation of moisture in the walls. Social implications The solution has commercial potential and could result in more cost-effective monitoring of historical buildings, which have an economic impact on society. Originality/value The authors propose a system for imaging spatial moistness of walls and historic buildings based on electrical tomography and consisting of a measuring device, sensors and image reconstruction algorithms.

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Park, Ju-Hyeong, and Jean M. Cox-Ganser. "NIOSH Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT): Documentation and Data Analysis of Dampness and Mold-Related Damage in Buildings and Its Application." Buildings 12, no. 8 (July 23, 2022): 1075. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081075.

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Indoor dampness and mold are prevalent, and the exposure has been associated with various illnesses such as the exacerbation of existing asthma, asthma development, current asthma, ever-diagnosed asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, upper respiratory symptoms, and eczema. However, assessing exposures or environments in damp and moldy buildings/rooms, especially by collecting and analyzing environmental samples for microbial agents, is complicated. Nonetheless, observational assessment (visual and olfactory inspection) has been demonstrated as an effective method for evaluating indoor dampness and mold. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health developed an observational assessment method called the Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT). The DMAT uses a semi-quantitative approach to score the level of dampness and mold-related damage (mold odor, water damage/stains, visible mold, and wetness/dampness) by intensity or size for each of the room components (ceiling, walls, windows, floor, furnishings, ventilation system, pipes, and supplies and materials). Total or average room scores and factor-or component-specific scores can be calculated for data analysis. Because the DMAT uses a semi-quantitative scoring method, it better differentiates the level of damage compared to the binary (presence or absence of damage) approach. Thus, our DMAT provides useful information on identifying dampness and mold, tracking and comparing past and present damage by the scores, and prioritizing remediation to avoid potential adverse health effects in occupants. This protocol-type article describes the DMAT and demonstrates how to apply it to effectively manage indoor dampness and mold-related damage.

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Držka, Milan. "Progressive Ways of the Waterproofing of Buildings." Advanced Materials Research 855 (December 2013): 7–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.855.7.

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The article deals with the newly developed damp proofing systems. They are aimed at principles of the design of constructional details of substructures resisting water and ground dampness with application of the latest materials, technology and constructional design of damp proofing system layers and details.

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Bloom, Erica, Karol Bal, Eva Nyman, Aime Must, and Lennart Larsson. "Mass Spectrometry-Based Strategy for Direct Detection and Quantification of Some Mycotoxins Produced by Stachybotrys and Aspergillus spp. in Indoor Environments." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 73, no. 13 (May 4, 2007): 4211–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.00343-07.

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ABSTRACT Dampness in buildings has been linked to adverse health effects, but the specific causative agents are unknown. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds and toxic to higher vertebrates. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate the presence of mycotoxins predominantly produced by Aspergillus spp. and Stachybotrys spp. in buildings with either ongoing dampness or a history of water damage. Verrucarol and trichodermol, hydrolysis products of macrocyclic trichothecenes (including satratoxins), and trichodermin, predominately produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, were analyzed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, whereas sterigmatocystin (mainly produced by Aspergillus versicolor), satratoxin G, and satratoxin H were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These mycotoxin analytes were demonstrated in 45 of 62 building material samples studied, in three of eight settled dust samples, and in five of eight cultures of airborne dust samples. This is the first report on the use of tandem mass spectrometry for demonstrating mycotoxins in dust settled on surfaces above floor level in damp buildings. The direct detection of the highly toxic sterigmatocystin and macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in indoor environments is important due to their potential health impacts.

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Murtyas, Solli, Yuki Minami, Kusumaningdyah Nurul Handayani, and Aya Hagishima. "Assessment of Mould Risk in Low-Cost Residential Buildings in Urban Slum Districts of Surakarta City, Indonesia." Buildings 13, no. 5 (May 19, 2023): 1333. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051333.

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Prolonged exposure to indoor dampness in dwellings triggers excessive mould, causing health problems for residents and damage to building structures. This study investigated dampness and mould growth in low-cost dwellings in the slum districts of Surakarta, Indonesia. A VTT mould growth model predicted mould risk in 17 dwellings by employing a set of time-series data of indoor air temperature and relative humidity (RH). Interviews were conducted with 11 houses to understand the residents’ perceptions and lifestyles related to mould risk. The daily average dampness (RH > 80%) ranged from 2.2 to 12.3 h. Low-cost dwellings with plywood board walls had a high risk of cumulative mould growth. Statistical correlation analysis revealed that volumetric heat capacity was significantly positively correlated with mould growth at higher percentiles (75th and 97.5th). Thus, dwellings with smaller volumes and plywood board walls were more susceptible to moulding. Moreover, the majority of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with indoor air quality owing to the presence of unpleasant odours from sewage and dampness, which coincided with their perception of inadequate air ventilation. This study provides a reference for developing standard guidelines for building and upgrading dwellings in Indonesia, focusing on assessing and mitigating mould risks and ensuring moisture safety.

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Gavrilovic, Dragan. "Building waterproofing remediation applying the 'total cut' method." Facta universitatis - series: Architecture and Civil Engineering 9, no. 1 (2011): 105–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/fuace1101105g.

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The paper analyzes the specific problems of construction of a waterproofing system with an absolute control of the vertical penetration of ground water and dampness from the ground into higher levels of building masonry structure. This method can very suitably be applied in rehabilitation of old brick buildings where the usual waterproofing remediation systems cannot be implemented because of specific structure system The 'total cut' method is very suitable for use in the old traditional masonry buildings, which do not have reinforced concrete vertical beams and where using this method would not interfere with the continuous stability of the building.

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Ksit, Barbara. "ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF MOISTURE AND BIODETERIORATION ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS." Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports 33, no. 1 (June 5, 2023): 1–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.59440/ceer-2023-0001.

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This paper deals with issues related to the diagnosis of dampness and mycological tests in historic buildings. The selection of appropriate diagnostic procedures in the case of historic buildings undergoing modernisation, revitalisation or renovation is an important element of properly conducted works aimed at the preservation of cultural heritage. The article presents the issues of biodeterioration, and the scope of procedures for carrying out expert assessments of historic buildings, with emphasis on the issue of mycological testing. In conclusion, the article states that due to dynamic degradation processes caused by biological corrosion, mycological examinations of buildings containing wooden structures should be obligatory in the building law. It was pointed out that economics repeatedly determines the depth of research and thus the reliability of the analysis results obtained.

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Bartoň, V., J. Šnédar, and P. Cikrle. "Impact of dampness to changes in the mechanical properties of solid fired bricks." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1209, no. 1 (December 1, 2021): 012036. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1209/1/012036.

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Abstract This work deals with the monitoring of changes in the mechanical properties of solid fired bricks depending on their dampness using non-destructive methods. Decreases of first natural frequencies by the resonance method and increase of passage times of ultrasonic waves depending on increasing dampness are monitored. The elements were firstly fully saturated and then slowly dried so that it was possible to record the values of the first natural frequencies and the passage times of the ultrasonic waves at different dampness. It is not possible to record values in all dampness, so the measured values were interpolated by regression models. A polynomial of the 2nd degree seems to be the most suitable. Dampness corresponding to the minimum natural frequencies and the maximum passage times of the ultrasonic waves were performed on these regression models. This research is the first step in determining the durability criteria for ceramic products, especially solid fired bricks. In the future, durability criteria should help in the reconstruction of historic buildings to assess whether the element that will be exposed to the weather is durable or not. These tests are completely non-destructive, which means that the tested element can be subsequently used in construction.

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Engvall, K., C. Norrby, and D. Norbäck. "Sick building syndrome in relation to building dampness in multi-family residential buildings in Stockholm." International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 74, no. 4 (May 9, 2001): 270–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004200000218.

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Garbalińska, Halina, Anna Głowacka, and Jarosław Strzałkowski. "Evaluation of dampness-induced strength reduction of calcium silicate blocks." E3S Web of Conferences 49 (2018): 00028. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20184900028.

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Due to its numerous technical advantages as well as health benefits, sand-lime brick is increasingly used in the construction of brick walls, especially in residential buildings. Unfortunately, the occurrence of damp leads to a sharp deterioration of the technical properties of the material and the environmental conditions inside the building. Given the importance of this issue, an attempt was made to diagnose the extent of dampness variability of the main hygrothermal and strength characteristics of calcium silicate products. The study involved the basic material properties (density in dry and water-saturated conditions), moisture-related properties (capillary adsorption coefficient and sorptivity), thermal coefficients (thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity) as well as mechanical properties (compressive strength). This article describes diagnostic studies that were conducted to assess the extent of the effect of dampness on the strength of sand-lime products. In order to render the diagnosis more comprehensive and to include a wider range of silicate blocks available on the market, it was decided to examine three groups of silicate blocks (strength class 15, 20 and 25) obtained from three different factories. It was demonstrated that for all the examined groups dampness caused a significant decrease in compressive strength ranging from about 30% to about 40%.

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Rymarczyk, Tomasz, Przemysław Adamkiewicz, Karol Duda, Jakub Szumowski, and Jan Sikora. "New electrical tomographic method to determine dampness in historical buildings." Archives of Electrical Engineering 65, no. 2 (June 1, 2016): 273–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/aee-2016-0019.

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Abstract This paper presents a new, nondestructive method of testing brick wall dampness in wall structures. The setup was used to determine the moisture in a specially built laboratory model. Topological methods and the gradient technique are used to optimize the approach. A forward model of a wall was constructed to solve the inverse problem resulting in moisture buildup inside the wall.

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Bornehag1,9*, C. G., G. Blomquist2, F. Gyntelberg3, B. Jarvholm4, P. Malmberg5, L. Nordvall6, A. Nielsen7, G. Pershagen8, and J. Sundell9. "Dampness in Buildings and Health. Nordic Interdisciplinary Review of the Scientific Evidence on Associations between Exposure to "Dampness" in Buildings and Health Effects (NORDDAMP)." Indoor Air 11, no. 2 (June 2001): 72–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0668.2001.110202.x.

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Agyekum, Kofi, Joshua Ayarkwa, and Christian Koranteng. "Holistic Diagnosis of Rising Damp and Salt Attack in Two Residential Buildings in Kumasi, Ghana." Journal of Construction Engineering 2014 (July 24, 2014): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/398627.

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Rising damp is one of the most severe phenomena that leads to decay and deterioration of both old and modern types of buildings. This study employed a holistic approach to dampness investigation and sought to examine the problem of rising damp in the walls of two residential apartments in Kumasi, Ghana. The study sought to determine the types of soluble salts and their concentrations in the soils and accumulated percentages in the walls over time and whether there exists any linkage between the salts in the walls and those in the ground. Results from the geotechnical survey of the building sites found that the soils on site 1 consisted of silty sandy gravel with some clay particles and those on site 2 consisted of silty sandy soil with some clay and traces of gravel. The study identified several groups of salts in the walls of the buildings, with the most damaging and dangerous being magnesium sulphate, magnesium chloride, and sodium sulphate salts. Similar salts were identified in the soil samples from the trial pits. The results therefore indicate a linkage between the salts found in the ground and those found in the walls and therefore confirm the presence of rising dampness.

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Lorentzen, Johnny C., Stephanie A. Juran, Lena Ernstgård, Mats J. Olsson, and Gunnar Johanson. "Chloroanisoles and Chlorophenols Explain Mold Odor but Their Impact on the Swedish Population Is Attributed to Dampness and Mold." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 3 (February 3, 2020): 930. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030930.

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We recently reported that mold odor may be explained by chloroanisoles (CAs) formed by microbial biotransformation of chlorophenols (CPs) in legacy wood preservatives. Here we examine psychophysical aspects of CAs and trace their historic origins in buildings. Our exposure of healthy volunteers shows that 2,4,6-triCA is often perceived as unpleasant, characterized as musty or moldy and is detected at 13 ng/m3 or lower. Similar concentrations are reported in buildings with odor complaints. Scrutiny of written records reveal that new building construction methods were introduced in the 1950s, namely crawlspaces and concrete slabs on the ground. These constructions were prone to dampness and attack from wood decay fungi, prompting chemical companies and authorities to advocate preservatives against rot. Simultaneously, CPs became household chemicals used for example in indoor paints. When large-scale odor problems evolved, the authorities that once approved the preservatives attributed the odor to hidden mold, with no evidence that substantial microbial biomass was necessary for odor formation. Thereby the public remained unaware of problematic exposure to CPs and CAs. We conclude that the introduction of inappropriate designs of house foundations and CP-based preservatives once ignited and still provide impetus for indoor air research on “dampness and mold”.

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Abisuga, Abiodun Olatunji, Ibukun O. Famakin, and Olalekan S. Oshodi. "Educational building conditions and the health of users." Construction Economics and Building 16, no. 4 (December 8, 2016): 19–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/ajceb.v16i4.4979.

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In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the educational facility are paramount. The preliminary results of the ongoing research reported here seek to identify defects associated with educational buildings and their effects on the health of polytechnic students and staff in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey, including 34 defects based on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was used to establish relationships with the health of polytechnic students and staff. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected based on their schools (faculty) within Lagos State Polytechnic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the collected data. The results of the study indicate that defects such as plumbing and dampness problems, cobwebs and dust, are prominent in the institution. Also the relationship between building conditions (defects) and health problems was established, with the predictors of the health problems. Based on the findings, it is important for designers and managers of facilities within tertiary institutions to develop and implement design and maintenance policies targeted at minimizing the likelihood of plumbing, dampness, electrical, cobweb and dust problems in educational buildings due to the health risks induced by the defects. It is evident that effective maintenance schedules and policies should be put in place to ensure that facilities are not left to decay before replacement.

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Rymarczyk, Tomasz, Grzegorz Kłosowski, Anna Hoła, Jerzy Hoła, Jan Sikora, Paweł Tchórzewski, and Łukasz Skowron. "Historical Buildings Dampness Analysis Using Electrical Tomography and Machine Learning Algorithms." Energies 14, no. 5 (February 27, 2021): 1307. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14051307.

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The article deals with the problem of detecting moisture in the walls of historical buildings. As part of the presented research, the following four methods based on mathematical modeling and machine learning were compared: total variation, least-angle regression, elastic net, and artificial neural networks. Based on the simulation data, the systems for the reconstruction of “pixel by pixel” tomographic images were trained. In order to test the reconstructive algorithms obtained during the research, images were generated based on real measurements and simulation cases. The method comparison was performed on the basis of three indicators: mean square error, relative image error, and image correlation coefficient. The above indicators were applied to four selected variants that corresponded to various parts of the walls. The variants differed in the dimensions of the tested wall sections, the number of electrodes used, and the resolution of the 3D image meshes. In all analyzed variants, the best results were obtained using the elastic net algorithm. In addition, all machine learning methods generated better tomographic reconstructions than the classic Total Variation method.

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Oliver, A. C. "New methods of treatment of dampness and timber infestation in buildings." Structural Survey 3, no. 4 (April 1985): 335–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eb006217.

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Brimblecombe, Peter, Carlota M. Grossi, and Ian Harris. "The effect of long-term trends in dampness on historic buildings." Weather 61, no. 10 (October 1, 2006): 278–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1256/wea.267.05.

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Vaali, Kirsi, Kingsley Mokube Ekumi, Maria A. Andersson, Marika Mannerström, and Tuula Heinonen. "In Search of Clinical Markers: Indicators of Exposure in Dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DMHS)." Journal of Fungi 9, no. 3 (March 7, 2023): 332. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof9030332.

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Potential markers were sought to diagnose mold hypersensitivity. Indoor air condensed water and human macrophage THP-1 test were applied to evaluate the buildings. Basophil activation tests (BAT) were conducted and mold-specific immunoglobulins (IgE, IgG, IgA, and IgD) were measured in study subjects’ serum and feces. Exposed subjects reported markedly more symptoms from occupational air than controls. Basophils from exposed subjects died/lost activity at 225 times lower concentrations of toxic extracts from the target building than recommended in the common BAT protocol. Fecal IgG and IgD levels against Acrostalagmus luteoalbus and Aspergillus versicolor produced receiver operating curves (ROC) of 0.928 and 0.916, respectively, when plotted against the inflammation marker MRP8/14. Assaying serum immunoglobulin concentrations against the toxic Chaetomium globosum (MTAV35) from another building, a test control, did not differentiate study individuals. However, if liver metabolism produced the same core molecule from other Chaetomium globosum strains, this would explain the increased response in fecal immunoglobulins in the exposed. The altered immunoglobulin values in the samples of exposed when compared to controls revealed the route of mold exposure. The toxicity of indoor air condensed water samples, BAT and serology confirmed the severity of symptoms in the target building’s employees, supporting earlier findings of toxicity in this building.

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Peterková, Jitka, Jiri Zach, Martin Sedlmajer, and Azra Korjenic. "Development of Lightweight, Remediation Plasters and Study of their Moisture Behavior." Key Engineering Materials 714 (September 2016): 72–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.714.72.

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One of the strategic goals of Europe 2020 is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % by 2020 compared to year 1990 and increasing energy efficiency by 20 %. Closely related to the revitalization of structures necessary for reasons reduction of their unsatisfactory energy consumption and then also the construction of new building structures with minimal energy requirements by using less energy demanding materials, if is it possible from easily renewable resources. Currently, the structures involved a high degree of total energy consumption in the European Union, about 40 %. Thermal insulating plasters with using lightweight aggregate based on recycled glass are the appropriate remediation materials for the rehabilitation of existing buildings, or even for thermal insulation of new structures. In view of the fact that historic buildings are often exposed to dampness and moisture, it is necessary for these redevelopment plasters also tackle studios moisture transport. The paper describes the results of the development of new insulating plasters that would have been reflected particularly in the rehabilitation of historic buildings and problematic details of building structures.

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Yli-Pirilä, Terhi, Jaana Kusnetsov, Maija-Riitta Hirvonen, Markku Seuri, and Aino Nevalainen. "Effects of amoebae on the growth of microbes isolated from moisture-damaged buildings." Canadian Journal of Microbiology 52, no. 4 (April 1, 2006): 383–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/w05-131.

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Dampness, moisture, and mold in buildings are associated with adverse health outcomes. In addition to fungi and bacteria, amoebae have been found in moisture-damaged building materials. Amoebae and a growing list of bacteria have been shown to have mutual effects on each other's growth, but the interactions between amoebae and microbes common in moisture-damaged buildings have not been reported. We co-cultivated the amoeba Acanthamoeba polyphaga with bacteria and fungi isolated from moisture-damaged buildings in laboratory conditions for up to 28 days. The microbes selected were the bacteria Streptomyces californicus, Bacillus cereus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and the fungi Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Penicillium spinulosum. Fungi and bacteria generally benefited from the presence of the amoebae, whereas the growth of amoebae was hindered by Streptomyces californicus, Stachybotrys chartarum, and Bacillus cereus. Pseudomonas fluorescens slightly enhanced amoebae viability. Amoebae were indifferent to the presence of Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillium spinulosum. Thus, our results show that amoebae can alter the survival and growth of some microbes in moisture-damaged buildings.Key words: moisture-damaged buildings, free-living amoebae, bacteria, fungi, co-culture.

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Pauliny, Pavol. "Stone in the Restoration of Architectural Heritage - Deterioration of Stone Structures Caused by Humidity." Applied Mechanics and Materials 824 (January 2016): 140–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.824.140.

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Over the centuries, stone as the elementary building material has not only been the substance used for constructing buildings but also the subject of arts and crafts. Aesthetics of stone has come into use in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque as well as architectural works implemented in the 19th and 20th century. The diversity of use but mostly the range of stone masonry and elements in the whole volume of our architectural heritage is forcing us to look for effective protection methods. The deterioration of stone structures most frequently encountered include undoubtedly the undesired water intrusion and dampness which ultimately precludes habitability of interiors, causes the loss of thermo-physical properties as well as static distortion of the object. There are multiple methods of excessive dampness rehabilitation, which are, however, in case of valuable and protected works of architecture, limited to technological procedures in compliance with the principles of heritage protection. On the case studies of redevelopment of the burgher house in Banská Štiavnica and the Prónay manor house in Lučenec, we will present the available methods of rehabilitation and determinants for utilisation of the selected method.

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Mohammed, Bukar, Zanna Ali, Ibrahim Ahmed, and Mohammed Adamu. "BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY AND SYSTEMATIC DEFECTS DIAGNOSIS ON LIBRARY BUILDING IN NIGERIA." International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology & Social Strategies 8, no. 1 (March 25, 2021): 76–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.48028/iiprds/ijiretss.v8.i1.08.

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The building under investigation is at Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic Geidam library situated in Yobe State North Eastern, Nigeria. The building is being occupied by large number of people many defects propelled were associated with cracks, discoloration, settlement, dampness, peeling, moisture and mold grow on the buildings besides environmental factors. These compelled the researcher to conduct the investigation to look into possible remedies in line with the bulk stage defects diagnostic that will be useful in identifying the aspect. The information gathered through survey of the affected building under investigation based on spatial severity degree of damages suffered on the buildings. Moreover; the analysis for the investigation is based on Assessment Rating system (BARIS) that provide very high-resolution to process the interferometric techniques. However, after a critical survey of the building facades from each side the researcher explores the major defects found on the building that is mostly attributed due to poor workmanship, general climatic conditions, and practical inadequacy during construction. Therefore, the diagnosis will predict the overall judgment for the type of repair required.

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Lorentzen, Johnny C., Lars-Erik Harderup, and Gunnar Johanson. "Evidence of Unrecognized Indoor Exposure to Toxic Chlorophenols and Odorous Chloroanisoles in Denmark, Finland, and Norway." Indoor Air 2023 (August 28, 2023): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/2585089.

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Production and use of chlorophenols (CPs) are being phased out around the globe, but with considerable lag in some highly populated countries. The process could be incentivized by leading countries sharing their experiences on problems that occurred, including the built environment. We previously reported that Swedish industry and authorities promoted CPs, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), as wood preservatives in buildings for decades. Yet, Swedish indoor research did not recognize exposure to the hazardous CPs and their odor potent derivatives, the chloroanisoles (CAs), which smell like mold and still evolve from legacy preservatives in damp building structures. We hypothesized that the toxic CPs and odorous CAs could be key players for health and odor problems not only in Sweden but also in the neighboring Nordic countries. We found no reports in scientific medical literature of CPs being used in buildings in these countries. However, grey literature shows that CPs were indeed used, even during building booms, in house exteriors, constructions, and interiors, from the 1950s up to the late 1970s (Denmark) and even the 1990s (Finland and Norway). One application of CPs was in houses erected on dampness-prone house foundations, conditions ideal for formation of odorous CAs through microbial methylation. Furthermore, our searches suggest that these problematic chemicals played hitherto unrecognized key roles when indoor air research evolved. Thus, odor became an important aspect of the “sick building syndrome” in Denmark and an early warning sign of health risks in Finland, as asthma and allergy were attributed to “dampness and mold.” None of the countries addressed the possible links between odor and health effects and exposure to CAs and CPs. In conclusion, our results suggest that unrecognized indoor exposure to toxic CPs and odorous CAs has mislead Nordic indoor air research for decades.

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Szczotka, Józef. "Non-invasive methods in diagnosis of wall dampness degree in sacral buildings." Diagnostyka 19, no. 2 (June 11, 2018): 63–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.29354/diag/86514.

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Young, Maureen E. "Dampness penetration problems in granite buildings in Aberdeen, UK: Causes and remedies." Construction and Building Materials 21, no. 9 (September 2007): 1846–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.05.027.

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Du, Zhaoming, Weihong Guo, Weicong Li, and Xuyi Gao. "A Study on the Optimization of Wind Environment of Existing Villa Buildings in Lingnan Area: A Case Study of Jiangmen’s “Yunshan Poetic” Moon Island Houses." Buildings 12, no. 9 (August 25, 2022): 1304. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings12091304.

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Effective natural ventilation reduces humidity, cools the space, and enhances thermal comfort. In light of the frequent ventilation issues in the Lingnan area, this research suggests a successful ventilation technique using Jiangmen’s “Yunshan Poetic” Moon Island houses as an example. With its symmetrical architectural layout of townhouses and its primary courtyard villa product, the community typifies the Lingnan area. First off, we discovered that the district’s average temperature is as high as 30.95 °C and its average humidity is as high as 83.592%RH using actual measurements and simulation of heat and humidity data. The district’s buildings’ issues with dampness, peeling walls, and substance mold are primarily caused by poor ventilation. Secondly, the PHOENICS program was used to provide efficient ventilation solutions for the following six aspects: external wind infusion organization, group orientation layout, planar grouping optimization, building façade combination, monolithic building openings, and indoor ventilation block. In order to determine if the technique is effective, the ventilation variables are compared before and after optimization using the Building Ventilation Effectiveness Test and Evaluation Criteria. The study concluded that the building’s architectural characteristics and the local climate have an impact on natural ventilation’s effectiveness. This serves as a guide for both the scientific layout development of future urban settlements and the optimization of ventilation of existing villa buildings in humid and hot areas.

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Marttila, Tero, Jukka Lahdensivu, and Juha Pekkanen. "Comprehensive assessment brings out shortcomings in almost every school building." E3S Web of Conferences 172 (2020): 23002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202017223002.

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Consideration of the big picture is needed when evaluating aspects of the building with relevance for reporting of poor indoor air quality or symptoms. Even the most accurate longitudinal measurements do not remove the need for expertise and broad understanding of the different possible sources and causes of indoor air exposures. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), in collaboration with Tampere University (TAU), studies the association between school buildings of Helsinki and pupil reported health symptoms. The present paper focuses on introducing the methods and classifications as well as presenting the results about the condition of the buildings. Characteristics of 53 school buildings have been assessed by visiting the buildings and by going through the previous building investigation reports. Visits relied mainly on visual inspections with an extensive checklist and some none intrusive momentary measurements about the dampness, pressure difference, and indoor air quality (IAQ). The major strength of the study is that all the possible school buildings in certain areas were inspected and assessed using the same methods, irrespective if the building had a long history of indoor air problems or not. That makes it possible to evaluate the general prevalence of the problems in school buildings, which has been highlighted as an open question by the National Indoor Air and Health Program 2018-2028, coordinated by THL. The first results indicate that every school building has its shortcomings. However, none of the studied buildings was in a very bad condition either. The results indicate that it is not possible to draw a clear line between the buildings with ‘good’ or ‘poor’ IAQ.

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Bornehag, C. G., J. Sundell, S. Bonini, A. Custovic, P. Malmberg, S. Skerfving, T. Sigsgaard, and A. Verhoeff. "Dampness in buildings as a risk factor for health effects, EUROEXPO: a multidisciplinary review of the literature (1998-2000) on dampness and mite exposure in buildings and health effects." Indoor Air 14, no. 4 (August 2004): 243–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2004.00240.x.

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VOLKOVA, N. G., and E. Y. TSESHKOVSKAYA. "CONCERNING THE FACTORS FORMING THE HUMIDITY MODE OF BUILDINGS." Building and reconstruction 93, no. 1 (2021): 106–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.33979/2073-7416-2021-93-1-106-113.

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Climate change affects cities and settlements in the Russian Federation. In addition to the increase in outdoor air temperature, its relative humidity also changes. Increasing humidity in the internal environment of buildings leads to negative phenomena, such as dampness of the room, which has a negative impact on the well-being of people and the safety of buildings 'enclosing structures. In some cases, in addition to General exchange ventilation, it is possible to regulate the humidity state of the premises by using a sorbing material as a lining for the interior surface of the premises. In NIISF RAASN, analytical and mathematical studies of the humidity state of premises in the annual operation cycle were conducted, which showed that the relative humidity in the room can be regulated by using the correct selected sorbing material.

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Idowu, Taiwo. "An analysis of the Causes of Building Defects in Residential Properties in Diobu area of port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria." International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 9, no. 11 (November 30, 2021): 536–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2021.38822.

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Abstract: Currently, derelict buildings with little or no amenities have remained a challenge to the physical fabric of properties in Diobu in Port Harcourt. These derelictions are observed to be affecting the economic and physical functionality of these buildings. Therefore, the paper aims to investigate the causes of the dereliction in the buildings in Diobu area in Port Harcourt Rivers State of Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted where 153 questionnaires was administered to the resident of the study area and another 56 questionnaires to property managers in Port Harcourt. Out of the 209 (Nr) questionnaires administered, a total of 197 was retrieved representing a response rate of 94%. Data gathered were analyzed using Relative Important Index, mean and percentages and presented in tabular and pictorial formats. The paper’s finding revealed and confirmed that wall cracks, wall/floor dampness, roof leakages, faulty plumbing fittings, poor ventilation and peeling/faded wall paints are some of the defects in the properties in Diobu. A further investigation revealed that poor building designs, old age, poor maintenance culture, adverse climatic condition, misuse, overcrowding and insect attack are among the causes of these defects on the buildings. This research work is original and has not been previously published anywhere; its reflection is that effective maintenance culture, good occupancy ratio, use of skilled personnel and quality building materials should be encouraged by residents, property managers and landlords in order to check the menace of building defects in the study area. Keywords: Residential Buildings, Defects, causes, Analysis, Diobu.

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Promis, Geoffrey, Omar Douzane, Daniel R. Rousse, and Thierry Langlet. "An Innovative System for the Treatment of Rising Dampness in Buildings Located in Cold Climates." Energies 14, no. 12 (June 10, 2021): 3421. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14123421.

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Signs of wetness in housing are a significant obstacle to the renovation and energy rehabilitation of old and energy-intensive heritage buildings, especially in cold climates. Thus, in order to avoid the numerous possibilities of degradation caused by the moisture transfer phenomena in the building envelope, the a disruptive aeraulic process, which focuses on the ventilation of an air gap between the thermal insulation and the wet wall, has been designed and its assessed. This system avoids the presence of liquid water at the wall surface by maintaining the hygrothermal balance within the wet wall. This enables the mechanical durability of the supporting structure, the absence of biological activity and/or frost and, hence, the durability of the thermal insulation. These issues are investigated through a case study based on a real site. Over a year of measurements, the wet wall was constantly maintained in hygroscopic balance, around 90% RH, guaranteeing the preservation of its mechanical performance, while the insulation layer was kept moisture free. In addition, the proposed model for predicting the appearance and development of biological activity demonstrated its validity, confirming experimental results.These initial results will now lead to the optimization of the aeraulic device, as well as possible use in a summer cooling context to achieve hygrothermal comfort for housing occupants.

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Zock, J. P., A. Borras-Santos, J. Jacobs, E. Krop, A. Hyvarinen, M. Taubel, U. Haverinen-Shaughnessy, D. Heederik, J. Pekkanen, and A. Nevalainen. "Dampness and mould in school buildings and respiratory symptoms in teachers: an international study." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 68, Suppl_1 (September 1, 2011): A91—A92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100382.301.

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Ijigah, Edoka Augustine, Omeiza David Idris, and Anderson Chinaza Anozie. "Geographic Information System (GIS) Assessment of the Impact of Flooding on Residential Buildings in Akure, Nigeria." British Journal of Environmental Sciences 12, no. 2 (February 15, 2024): 12–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.37745/bjes.2013/vol12n21230.

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Flooding has caused the deaths of people, collapse of buildings, destruction of properties, and a lot of worries to occupants in Nigeria. In spite of persistent incident of flooding in many areas, the researches that are aimed at lessening the impacts of flooding, especially on residential buildings close to riverbanks are few. The study assessed the influence of flooding on residential buildings in Ajeromi Community of Ondo State, Nigeria using Geographic Information System (GIS). A triangulation research approach involving structured questionnaire, personal observation and the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) were used. Data were collected from the occupants of buildings and GIS was used to collect information on the geo-referencing of affected buildings showing river channels, contours, and the topography of the area. From the result, the major effects of flooding were; paint defects, present of rot and mould, damage to the finishes of buildings, wall dampness, and cracking of ground floor due to uplift pressure. The major reason for vulnerability of these residential buildings to flooding were heavy rainfalls and climate changes, construction of buildings closes to waterways, and poor physical planning of the community. Flood resilience measures for residential occupants in the areas includes adequate channelization of waterbodies and avoidance of waterways when constructing buildings. All the results correlated with the findings of results from physical assessment and GIS geo-referencing. Based on the findings, GIS can be used to assess residential buildings to prevent flooding and enhance flood resilience.

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Graff, Pål, Ing-Liss Bryngelsson, Mats Fredrikson, and Ulf Flodin. "Adult onset asthma in non-allergic women working in dampness damaged buildings: A retrospective cohort study." American Journal of Industrial Medicine 62, no. 4 (January 24, 2019): 357–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22952.

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Chew, Lup Wai, Xian-Xiang Li, and Michael Y. L. Chew. "Climate Change Projection and Its Impacts on Building Façades in Singapore." Sustainability 15, no. 4 (February 9, 2023): 3156. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15043156.

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Singapore is one of the most populous countries, and the majority of the population stays in high-rise public flats. In 2021, there were about 1.1 million public residential units, of which 79% were above 20 years old. The number of incidents of falling objects from a height has been increasing due to the aging and deterioration of buildings. The Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime was enacted in 2020 to mandate façade inspections for all buildings above 13 m and exceeding 20 years old. However, the relatively new PFI regime has not considered the potential impacts of climate change on building façades. In this paper, the common root causes of façade defects that can be impacted by climate change are first identified. Based on the climate projection in Singapore to 2100, Singapore is expected to experience a higher mean temperature, a higher rainfall intensity, more extreme rainfall events, and a higher wind gust speed. Overall, these changes in the climate pattern will accelerate corrosion or degradation, material fatigue, adhesion failure, biological attack, and humidity or dampness. The impacts of climate change on vertical greeneries are also discussed. This paper provides a first insight into the key concerns to focus on for the future revision and improvement of the PFI regime to incorporate climate change impacts on façades.

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Simo, Elie, Pascal Durant Dzali Mbeumo, and Jeanne Claude Mbami Njeuten. "Moisture Transfer in Concrete: Numerical Determination of the Capillary Conductivity Coefficient." Slovak Journal of Civil Engineering 25, no. 1 (March 1, 2017): 10–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/sjce-2017-0002.

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Abstract We numerically investigated moisture transfer in buildings made of concrete. We considered three types of concrete: normal concrete, pumice concrete and cellular concrete. We present the results of a 1-D liquid water flow in such materials. We evaluated the moisture distribution in building materials using the Runge-Kutta fourth-and-fifth-order method. The DOPRI5 code was used as an integrator. The model calculated the resulting moisture content and other moisture-dependent physical parameters. The moisture curves were plotted. The dampness data obtained was utilized for the numerical computation of the coefficient of the capillary conductivity of moisture. Different profiles of this coefficient are represented. Calculations were performed for four different values of the outdoor temperature: -5°C, 0°C, 5°C and 10°C. We determined that the curves corresponding to small time intervals of wetting are associated with great amplitudes of the capillary conductivity . The amplitudes of the coefficient of the capillary conductivity decrease as the time interval increases. High outdoor temperatures induce high amplitudes of the coefficient of the capillary conductivity.

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Dias, José Miranda. "Mutual Effect Between Moisture Transfer and Mechanical Response in Infill Masonry Walls of Reinforced Concrete Building Envelope." International Journal on Applied Physics and Engineering 2 (November 22, 2023): 177–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.37394/232030.2023.2.17.

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The external envelope of buildings with reinforced concrete structures (RCS buildings) is subjected to environmental actions, particularly related to wind-driven rain (WDR), external humidity variations, and rising dampness, which can cause significant variations in moisture content to their unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls, mainly associated to water penetration across that envelope. The consequent moisture transfer across the envelope can change the mechanical response of the URM infill walls and lead to their cracking, which could aggravate the referred water penetration, with a subsequent increase in the risk of building envelope degradation. In reverse, the effects of mechanical loads on moisture transfer across that envelope can be also relevant, in terms of change in the moisture content of these URM infill walls. The aim here is to analyze this type of mutual effect between moisture transfer and mechanical response in URM infill walls of RCS buildings. Essential elements about the characteristics of moisture transfer across URM infill walls and of the interface resistance with moisture flows are summarily described, and the essential evaluation of the mechanical behavior of URM infill walls when subjected to moisture variations is carried out. Moisture transport characteristics are discussed, focusing on analyses of the behavior of masonry elements when subjected to moisture variations. An initial assessment of the mechanical behavior of URM infill walls when subjected to different moisture variations is made through a compression test of a brick masonry specimen with variable moisture content. Following that analysis, an evaluation is made of the moisture transfer in URM infills, as well as the influence of the interface between layers in that moisture transfer and, subsequently, an assessment is made of hygromechanical couplings. Finally, elements for prevention about the causes of degradation of URM infill related to humidity and mechanical actions in the RCS building envelope are discussed.

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Vaali, Kirsi, Marja Tuomela, Marika Mannerström, Tuula Heinonen, and Tamara Tuuminen. "Toxic Indoor Air Is a Potential Risk of Causing Immuno Suppression and Morbidity—A Pilot Study." Journal of Fungi 8, no. 2 (January 21, 2022): 104. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof8020104.

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We aimed to establish an etiology-based connection between the symptoms experienced by the occupants of a workplace and the presence in the building of toxic dampness microbiota. The occupants (5/6) underwent a medical examination and urine samples (2/6) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for mycotoxins at two time-points. The magnitude of inhaled water was estimated. Building-derived bacteria and fungi were identified and assessed for toxicity. Separate cytotoxicity tests using human THP-1 macrophages were performed from the office’s indoor air water condensates. Office-derived indoor water samples (n = 4/4) were toxic to human THP-1 macrophages. Penicillium, Acremonium sensu lato, Aspergillus ochraceus group and Aspergillus section Aspergillus grew from the building material samples. These colonies were toxic in boar sperm tests (n = 11/32); four were toxic to BHK-21 cells. Mycophenolic acid, which is a potential immunosuppressant, was detected in the initial and follow-up urine samples of (2/2) office workers who did not take immunosuppressive drugs. Their urinary mycotoxin profiles differed from household and unrelated controls. Our study suggests that the presence of mycotoxins in indoor air is linked to the morbidity of the occupants. The cytotoxicity test of the indoor air condensate is a promising tool for risk assessment in moisture-damaged buildings.

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Jadia Japok, Md Azree Othuman Mydin, and Roshartini Omar. "Identification of Structural and Non-Structural Defects of Load-Bearing Wall Systems in Low Rise Buildings." Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Mechanics 120, no. 1 (July 10, 2024): 171–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.37934/aram.120.1.171188.

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Malaysia is one of the developed countries that has grown rapidly in various sectors including the construction sector. However, there are some defects in non-structural and structural load-bearing walls. One of the components that needs attention is structural and non-structural defects of load-bearing wall systems in low-rise buildings. The study aims to provide insights into the identification of common structural and non-structural defects of load-bearing walls, investigate the main causes that lead to structural and non-structural defects, and provide suggestions concerning the methods and strategies for rectifying both structural and non-structural flaws in load-bearing walls. According to the study, construction material, maintenance of building condition, overloading, water damage, design flaws, foundation settlement vibration, and seismic activity. The types of structural and non-structural defects at load-bearing walls are major cracks, honeycomb, dampness, foundation issues, peeling paint, spalling, termites, and efflorescence. The method and strategy for rectifying both structural and non-structural flaws in load-bearing walls are crack repairs foundation repair material replacement load redistribution. In conclusion, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a thorough evaluation of structural and non-structural flaws in the load-bearing wall systems of low-rise structures.

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Hossain, Sharif Tousif, and K. M. Ulil Amor Bin Zaman. "Correlation between user activity at different rooftop typologies in residential buildings in a compact urban context." GeoScape 16, no. 1 (June 1, 2022): 65–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/geosc-2022-0006.

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Abstract The scarcity of public open space has compelled urbanites to use residential rooftops as an interaction space. In Dhaka, rooftops are used for various social and recreational purposes which has extensively increased due to COVID-19 restrictions. During this period, few rooftops are used frequently while few are less occupied. Hence, the study identifies different variables that impact rooftop activities and finds correlations between them using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The study further shows the direction for accelerating the use of rooftops as an interaction space in residential buildings. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: • Rooftops represent important places of public life in Dhaka. • The variables that affect the social and recreational activities of residential rooftop space are analysed. • Statistically significant correlations were found between rooftop occupied by various services and number of activities, floor dampness and number of activities, the rooftop occupied by various services and a comfort zone with a pleasant view, parapet height and number of activities, and parapet height and safety. • The paper sets recommendations for designing and managing rooftop spaces.

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Elinwa, Ugochukwu, Cemil Atakara, Ifeoluwa Ojelabi, and Abiola Abiodun. "Preventing Dampness Related Health Risks at the Design Stage of Buildings in Mediterranean Climates: A Cyprus Case Study." Buildings 8, no. 5 (May 1, 2018): 66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings8050066.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Dampness in buildings'

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