Investigations of operating properties of ceramic masonry products in the multilayer enclosure

Abstract

The study deals with specific hydro- and hydrosorption properties of ceramic masonry products in the multilayer enclosure structure, such as sorption moisture content, capillary water adsorption, water vapour permeability, absorption and impact of hydrophobic coat on frost resistance of the wall out of ceramic face bricks. In the course of investigation it was established that ceramic products may be characterized by low sorption moisture content (Ws < 1.56 %) and low water vapour permeability (u = ~35 [-]). Therefore, the water vapour migration in the enclosure proceeds through vertical seams unfilled by masonry mortar) and the absorption varies from 13.6 to 21 % of mass. The absorption may be reduced down to 3.4 % by means of impregnation of surface of facade products by hydrophobic solution what influences positively the frost resistance of wall out of face bricks. The investigations showed that no visible injuries appeared in the facade surface of such wall after 50 freeze-thaw cycles.