Perform RILEM tube field water-absorption testing on a masonry wall
domain: rilem.net · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Select the correct RILEM Test Method II.4 tube size for the substrate: the larger tube for brick, stone, or cast/precast concrete, and the shorter tube for concrete masonry units.
Prepare a clean, dry, representative test area and affix the tube to the wall surface with putty or another approved seal to prevent leakage around the tube base.
Fill the tube with water to the marked starting graduation and record the water-level drop (volume absorbed) over the standard observation period.
Run tests at multiple locations (different mortar joints, unit faces, weathered vs. sheltered areas) to characterize variability across the wall rather than relying on a single reading.
Use results to compare relative absorption/weathering condition across the wall, or to evaluate a water-repellent treatment's effectiveness with before/after readings, rather than as an absolute pass/fail spec value.
Known gotchas
RILEM tube results are comparative/diagnostic, not tied to a single universal pass/fail threshold -- use them to compare locations or before/after conditions rather than as a standalone acceptance test.
A poor seal between the tube base and an uneven or textured masonry surface will skew readings; mortar joints and rough stone faces need extra care sealing the tube.
Field temperature and surface moisture at the time of testing affect the absorption rate -- note ambient conditions alongside each reading for a fair comparison.
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