Research project NM/A/03 (Research action NM)
CONTEXT
Among the techniques for solving problems with rising damp, present in many old buildings, the application of water repellent products can be considered as one of the best achieving treatments. Such a treatment offers an optimal efficiency and versatility at a competitive price.
The most important restriction to the spreading of this technique is to be found in the choice of the product to be used. There is no standardised procedure, which is able to evaluate and compare the efficiency of the different products, which are commercially available.
THE PROJECT
The purpose of this research is to establish a representative and reliable methodology, based on relatively rapid tests, which is capable to identify products and to characterise their potential effectiveness.
THE PARTNERS
The research is carried out by the laboratories of the BBRI (Belgian Building Research Institute) and of the KIK-IRPA (Royal Institute for the study and conservation of Belgium’s artistic heritage), in collaboration with the industrial partnership in the users committee.
The BBRI takes care of the development of a methodology for the characterisation of the efficiency in the laboratory. The emphasis lies on the performance of the products themselves (tests on standardised materials) and on the applicability of these products (using test walls).
The KIK-IRPA develops the physical and chemical procedures for the identification and control of the products, next to the development of a test procedure to the in situ evaluation of the efficiency of treatments.
EXPECTED PRODUCTS AND RESULTS
The establishment of a standardised test procedure should allow providing test reports, containing unambiguous information on the product’s performance, to manufacturers, undertakers and architects. This should allow to improve the quality of treatments, as well as to stimulate the manufacturers to develop new and better products. This last aspect turns out to be very important when it comes to the replacement of classical products (solutions in organic solvents) by products in aqueous emulsions, which are less hazardous for the environment.
The existence of test results obtained by a standardised procedure should also allow to deliver official technical approvals from the UBAtc/BUtgb (Belgian Union for technical Approval), for which there is an urgent demand from the industrials, both on the Belgian and the European levels.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS
The two laboratories involved in this research possess a large experience, which is particularly appreciated both in Belgium and abroad. They work regularly together on national and international levels, with scientific institutes as well as with enterprises and industrials.
The active participation of both institutes in Belgian and European normalisation activities should be mentioned.
USERS COMMITTEE
The users committee contains:
- industrials:
B. Vanden Houte (GOLSCHMIDT), R. Keppens (REWAH), M. Pien (TECHNICHEM);
- national organisations on normalisation and approval:
J. Wustenberghs (IBN-BIN), E. Broeckx (UBAtc-BUtgb).
The users of the outcome of this research can be summarised as: enterprises, manufacturers, architects and study offices.
PROMOTERS
Jan VENSTERMANS
Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction
Boulevard Poincaré 79
B-1060 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 2 716.42.11
Fax: +32 2 725.32.12
E-mail: jan.venstermans@bbri.be
Eddy DE WITTE
Koninklijk Instituut voor het Kunstpatrimonium
Jubelpark 1
B-1000 BRUSSEL
Tel: +32 2 739.67.11
Fax: +32 2 732.01.05
E-mail: eddy.dewitte@kikirpa.be
Efficacité des produits d'injection contre l'humidité ascensionnelle : rapport final
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1464)
[To download]
Efficacité des produits d'injection contre l'humidité ascensionnelle : annexes
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1465)
[To download]
