Physical and mathematical modelling of masonry deterioration due to salt crystallization

Salt crystallization tests have been carried out on brick masonry specimens physically modelling the behaviour of a real brickwall exposed to salt decay due to capillary rise. The reliability of the test has been shown by comparing the decay obtained in laboratory and on site. The surface damage has been measured by a non destructive technique based on the use of a laser sensor as a profile recording device. The loss of material at every measurement has been assumed as a parameter representing the continuous damage. The data collected outline the evolution of the deterioration, over space and time, of the mortar-bricks composite. On this basis a numerical model describing the damage evolution is being studied.