Electro-osmotic consolidation of buildings materials

Abstract

The present research concerns the consolidation of brick and concrete building structures, which may be altered by atmospheric agents and human activities. It is well know in literature that the application of specific chemical products (e.g., water-based organic emulsions), inserted into building materials, improves the mechanical properties of the powdered material and increases the cohesion between the altered parts and the adhesion of these ones to the substrate still in good conditions. There are usually several ways in which these polymers can be applied to the building surface, such as: brushing, plugging, rollering and spraying. Frequently, these systems do not allow a good and homogeneous penetration (in depth) into the substrate under treatment. This research aims to study the electro-kinetic and electro-osmotic effects occurring in porous media when a liquid is passed through the materials. The starting point is represented by the elimination of water excess, normally present in altered structures, by electro-osmotic dewatering. The goal is the development of a new system for the deposition of stabilizers into building materials, raising their depth of penetration and improving the homogeneity distribution