Temperature and humidity effects on salt crystallization in burnt clay bricks

Abstract

This study offers an idea of investigating the temperature and humidity effect on salt crystallization in burned clay brick when it is subjected to a saline environment. It has been investigated that salt may be carried into masonry pores structures by moisture. As moisture production and movement are affected by temperature and humidity, the mechanism of salt crystallization is affected as well. Uniaxial Salt crystallization in burned clay bricks at different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C) and humidity (70%, 80%, and 90%) has been investigated, considering all other parameters to be constant. Analyzing the data derived from the experiment, two equations have been developed (one for temperature effect analysis and another for humidity effect analysis). Results indicate that the salt crystallization in burned clay bricks increases when the temperature of samples and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) solution increases. However, the salt crystallization in burned clay bricks goes down when the relative humidity of the surrounding environment of samples decreases.