A hygrothermal monitoring and modeling of a historic roof

Computer based modeling tools were used to examine the hygrothermal environment inside a heavy-masonry historic building experiencing crypto-efflorescence damage to its moisture-laden brick vault. Monitoring was carried out to investigate the damage pattern against changes in the interior environment and to validate simulation models. The models predicted a period of 1,612 annual hours during which the vault was vulnerable to salt damage under the current environmental regime and a potential reduction of this critical period by 98% as a result of a remedial measure. The models also predicted a high rate of moisture release into the interior environment from the drying-out process of the moisture-laden brick vault.