11

Wall problems

11.1 Introduction
The main function of the wall of a building is to isolate the interior from the exterior
conditions. Just the presence of the wall is sufficient to achieve this function
reasonably, as is demonstrated by the efficiency of a well designed tent. However,
the efficiency of walls can be greatly improved in relation to excluding dampness and
thermally insulating the interior.
A second function of a wall is structural and to support the load imposed by any
suspended floors and the roof above. These basic functions have to be appreciated
when designing walls to achieve a certain aesthetic effect, but these various
requirements may conflict and may result in various wall problems. Most problems
have already been considered in detail in earlier chapters, so that this chapter is
essentially a review drawing attention to appropriate matters mentioned earlier,
together with comments on actual defects and failures that have been observed.

11.2 Masonry
It has already been explained in section 4.8 that a normal porous solid masonry wall
prevents rain penetration by acting as a reservoir which absorbs incident rain and
holds it, without allowing it to penetrate through to the interior, subsequently
dispersing the absorbed rain by evaporation during dry weather. The interior of a
building will remain dry if the average rate of evaporation can exceed the average
rate of absorption, provided there are no abnormal absorption peaks, although
penetration is often apparent where walls are thinner, such as at window reveals.
Problems usually arise because this function of a porous masonry wall is not
understood. Construction in impermeable stone may lead to serious problems,
particularly as water flowing down the outside surface will be absorbed only into
the mortar joints with only limited absorptive capacity, and there is therefore a danger
of penetration to the interior. In fact, old solid walls constructed from impermeable
stone, such as granite, often comprise two skins with rubble between, and penetration
through a mortar joint in the outer skin may result in dampness becoming apparent
on the inner skin some distance away and usually lower down the wall, so that the
original source of the penetration is difficult to identify. If water penetration is coming
through a solid wall, the best remedy is usually to ensure that the mortar joints are
sound and well pointed, and perhaps to apply a silicone resin water repellent as
described in section 4.11, treatment on impermeable stone walls reducing water
penetration by protecting the joints alone.

www.EngineeringBooksPDF.com