Hygric and thermal properties of Slovak building sandstones.

Recently, the simulation software (HAM) used for heat and water transport has become a powerful tool for the hygrothermal analysis of building envelopes, particularly for historical buildings. The increased moisture content and poor thermal-insulation properties of historical building materials increase the risk of damage to the masonry and surface finish. Renovation design and reconstruction is a complicated process. Input data such as boundary conditions, initial conditions, and material properties are required to model the complex heat and water transfer in buildings using a simulation tool. This study focuses on determining the hygric and thermal properties of sandstone from locations in eastern Slovakia that were previously used for historic building construction. The basic thermal, water storage, and water transfer properties were determined using experimental methods. An accurate description of these parameters allows for dynamic simulations of hygrothermal behaviour using the HAM simulation tools for the purposes of restoring historical buildings of immense heritage significance.