Project design abacus for wall base ventilation drying systems to control dampness. Issue 11 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guimarães, A. S.; Teixeira, M. J.
• Is Part Of: Drying technology. Volume 34:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1380
• Page End: 1396
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Abacuses -- historical buildings -- pre-sizing -- rising dampness -- wall base ventilation systems; Drying -- Periodicals; Desiccation; 660.28426
• DOI: 10.1080/07373937.2015.1117488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-3937

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Dampness is an important degradation issue especially in old buildings and monumental heritage, particularly a rising one as the result of capillary movement of water in the lower sections of walls and other ground-supported structures by capillary action. There are several methods to treat this kind of dampness among which is the wall base hygro-regulated ventilation system an interesting solution for high thick walls with considerable heterogeneity. A significant number of studies have been undertaken around this method which have been implemented and validated in several heritage buildings. Such achievement has led to the adoption of the HUMIVENT patent system which aims to increase evaporation through peripheral channels on the base of the ventilated walls. A pre-sizing design program was also created and was called HUMIVENT PREDIM. This study aims to develop a set of auxiliary abacus for pre-sizing wall base ventilation systems. This approach aims to provide fast and expeditious systems sizing in the design and rehabilitation project offices. It allows an easy awareness in the several parameters that influence the wet front and the preliminary ventilation system design. It is a very useful tool for designers allowing them to obtain pre-sizing without extensive knowledge of the program and the associated parameters and with quick understanding of the drying process optimization. For better awareness of the abacus' potentiality and use, an application example is provided thereof. It is concluded that the abacus can straightforwardly be used for sensitivity studies and for the selection of the best solution in each case.