Abstract
The objective of this study is to analyze the surface moisture conditions in a sixteenth century building located in the colonial city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by non-destructive methods. Two techniques were used to accomplish the investigation: infrared thermography (IRT) and electrical resistance measuring (ERM). Additionally, a visual inspection was performed, and the thermo hygrometric conditions were registered. In visual inspection, it was observed that there is a significant deterioration in the walls, due to the presence of humidity, permitting the appearance of plants and the development of black crust. The results obtained with IRT have allowed us to detect humidity by capillarity, humidity by water infiltration due to the breakage of the downspouts or accumulation in the balcony and cornice area, in addition to growth of vegetation on the walls. While ERM results confirm the moisture found with the IRT, indicating that there are very humid areas, others sufficiently dry and intermediate areas. In conclusion, it can be said that the use of these two methods and visual inspection allows a precise and rapid detection of the humidity present in the construction elements of a historic building, thus contributing to its preservation.
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Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the research support provided by FAVE Project, Code: 2018-2019-3C1-069, funded by FONDOCyT 2018-2019, Ministry of Higher Education Science, and Technology (MESCyT). Also, the authors extend their gratitude to “Oficina de la Obra y Museos de la Catedral de Santo Domingo” for allowing us the use of the thermal camera to perform the infrared thermography tests, which was acquired in the project “Influence of the environment on the deterioration process of construction materials in historic buildings and proposals for their conservation”, funded in the FONDOCyT 2013 call for proposals.
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Ruiz-Valero, L., Prieto-Vicioso, E., Flores-Sasso, V., Fernández-Flores, G. (2022). Moisture Condition Evaluation in a Sixteenth Century Building Using Non-destructive Techniques. In: Furferi, R., Giorgi, R., Seymour, K., Pelagotti, A. (eds) The Future of Heritage Science and Technologies. Florence Heri-Tech 2022. Advanced Structured Materials, vol 179. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15676-2_7
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