Indoor dynamic climatology: investigations on the interactions between walls and indoor environment

Abstract On the basis of the hourly evolution of the isopleths on diagrams showing the distribution of thermal and hygrometric parameters, the interactions between the indoor atmosphere and walls supporting frescoes or mural paintings have been identified. Solar radiation incident on the walls has been shown to cause thermal and hygrometric cycles which are responsible for many deterioration processes. In particular, by comparison of patterns of specific and relative humidities, the zones where the moisture is released or absorbed by walls were put in evidence. The diurnal breathing cycles of the masonry are very important due to their frequency, which causes an enormous number of events during the life of the artistic work. Furthermore, the natural ventilation and turbulence indoors have been investigated in order to know the transport and diffusion of the airborne pollutants. The method herein described has been especially conceived for the artistic works since it shows the interactions between the environment and the mural paintings or frescoes, without inserting probes into the precious walls.