Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Presence of unwanted moisture in buildings leads to decrease in the strength of structural components, poor living conditions and health problems for the residents. In India, majority of residential structures are constructed using masonry and are usually not-engineered. Further, the residents use several moisture preventing mechanisms based on available market products using their own judgment. The present study is a step towards evaluating the efficacy of such treatment strategies used by residents in a scientific manner. A survey has been conducted in the Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad, India, to evaluate the present condition of residential buildings and the state of knowledge of the residents. A computational model has been developed to simulate moisture transport in masonry walls under different ambient conditions to facilitate identification of possible sources of moisture in the structures. Numerical studies have also been performed to assess the efficacy of plaster and damp proof course (DPC) as moisture retarding agents.