Project: Effectiveness of methods against rising damp in buildings : European practice and perspective

Acronym	EMERISDA
Duration	01/02/2014 - 31/01/2017
Project Topic	Rising damp is a recurrent hazard to ancient buildings in Europe and its relevance is expected to increase in the future, due to climate changes. The presence of rising damp in walls does not only create an unpleasant climate in buildings, but it also enhances damage processes as frost action, salt crystallization and biological growth, with possible consequences on the health of the inhabitants. The relevance of this problem is reflected by the large variety of products on the market. This wide and differentiated offers together with the scarce and fragmented scientific information on the effectiveness of the methods, make it difficult (even) for the professionals working in the field to choose a suitable intervention on a sound basis. The aims of this project are to come to a scientifically based evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods against rising damp and to a define decision support tool for a conscious choice and successful use of these methods in the practice of conservation. These aims are achieved by sharing the knowledge, until now diffused over EU, and by acquiring new knowledge through the application of selected methods in case studies. The co-operation between research institutes, conservation authorities and SMEs guarantees: (i) easy access to documentation on case studies, (ii) independent and scientifically based evaluation of interventions, and (iii) successful dissemination of results.
Project Results (after finalisation)	Establishment of a European-wide overview of existing including the compatibility and effectiveness on historic buildings. -EU broad overview of the effectiveness of existing methods, elaborated on the existing experience and on the knowledge acquired by the investigation of case studies. -The development of decision support tool on the feasibility and the risks of existing methods, helping actors involved in conservation to arrive at a conscious choice and successful application of these methods in the practice. -Build up a European network of experts with state of the art knowledge in this field. Concrete outcomes included the establishment and definition of a European common procedure and criteria for the evaluation of interventions against rising damp, to be defined on the basis of the experience of the partners.
Website	visit project website
Network	JPI Cultural Heritage
Call	JPI JHEP Pilot Call

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Belgian Building Research Institute	Coordinator	Belgium
2	Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerca	Partner	Italy
3	Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia	Partner	Italy
4	C.R.S.A. Med - ingegneria S.r.l.	Partner	Italy
5	Special Restoration Ltd. of Pambianco	Partner	Italy
6	DIASEN	Partner	Italy
7	Delft University of Technology	Partner	Netherlands
8	Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands	Partner	Netherlands