Author
WAN IBRAHIM, M. H.
University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering
ABU BAKAR, B. H. and MEGAT JOHARI, M. A
University Sains Malaysia, School of Civil Engineering
BINGEL, P.
Metropolitan University of Leeds, School of Build Environment
RAMADHANSYAH, P. J.
University Sains Malaysia, School of Civil Engineering

Abstract
This paper reports on a study of the moisture movement behaviour of fired clay brick masonry walls exposed to sodium sulphate environment. Sample walls were exposed to three different concentration of sodium sulphate i.e. 5%, 10% and 15%. For comparative purpose, several other walls were exposed to dry and wet exposures were used as control specimens. All specimens were prepared and cured under polythene sheet for 14 days in a controlled environment room maintained at relative humidity and temperature of 80 ± 5% and 25 ± 2ºC, respectively. After the curing period, they were exposed to the different sodium sulphate concentrations. The moisture movement of the sample was measured and monitored for a period of up to 7 months.

Key words
moisture movement; fired clay brick; sodium sulphate