Reducing floodwater ingress rates through an exterior masonry wall of a domestic building: A pilot investigation

Beddoes, David W.; Booth, Colin A.

Abstract

© 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose – Experimental field test apparatus has been used to determine the inter-variability and intra-variability floodwater ingress rates of the masonry wall of a domestic building, before and after preparation with an improved surface treatment procedure. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Replicated and repeated simulations of floodwater conditions (600 mm head) outside a building were created, before and after the wall was treated with a combination of mortar admixture and surface impregnation. Findings – Untreated and treated floodwater ingress rates were 4.99 litres/hour (234.99 litres/hour/m2) and 1.74 litres/hour (81.90 litres/hour/m2), respectively, and display high intra-variability before treatment. These preliminary results indicate water penetration through masonry is linked to the initial rate of absorption of brick units and perceivably the workmanship of the bricklayer. Originality/value – Reductions in floodwater penetration from outside a building, by the impregnation and admixture treatments of masonry walls, can be achieved to manageable levels. However, the target for rates of water ingress through permeable masonry of

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jul 13, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 6, 2019
• Journal: Structural Survey
• Print ISSN: 0263-080X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 196-209
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-01-2013-0003
• Keywords: climate change adaptation, property protection, Water penetration, waterproof coatings, initial rate of absorption
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/831274
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SS-01-2013-0003