Experimental Evaluation Of Watertightness Of Single Leaf Walls

Summary

The use of thick single-leaf envelope walls can be an interesting alternative to cavity walls in some Mediterranean countries like Portugal.  In the single-leaf solution, rain watertightness is fundamental.  The results of tests used to evaluate experimentally the rain watertightness of such walls are presented.  Lightweight clay blocks, clay bricks and lightweight concrete units were  used in the walls, which had been rendered.  A large chamber  was used to perform the tests.  One of the walls was tested after accelerated ageing.  The tests used were shown to be suitable for clearly distinguishing between single-leaf walls with different performances. The use of single-leaf external walls is acceptable, as long as the correct materials and construction method are used, and care is taken to minimise deformation and cracks.  13 refs.

Primary author(s): Veiga R; Carvalho F; Sousa H

                            Lisbon,National Lab.of Civil Engineering;

Source: 12th Int.Brick/Block Masonry Conf. Proc.Annex Vol.IV

            Madrid,25-28 June 2000,p.2201-2214