Air Permeability Tests of Masonry Structures

Abstract

To date, the assurance of sufficient building‘s air tightness remains a problematic issue, because it is linked not only to the right technology solution selection and quality work, but also to the building envelope air permeability properties. Typically, when modelling building energy demand, it is considered that the building envelope is impermeable to air. Nevertheless, this claim is unjustified. Studies have shown that building materials are porous. However, there is no evidence how air permeability changes through the masonry construction, when it is heterogeneous. Therefore, this work is to determine the air permeability of the various types of masonry construction, also assessing the technological masonry aspects, determine the air permeability rate and evaluate the results obtained in the analysis by providing recommendations.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.9.4.7913