Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/Advisor
Amalia Leifeste
Committee Member
Lisa Arslaner
Committee Member
Craig M. Bennett, Jr., PE
Committee Member
Stephen Julka
Committee Member
Richard D. Marks III
Abstract
The growing frequency of intense storm events, minor coastal flooding, and salinity levels of the rising groundwater tables in Special Flood Hazard Areas, including those within Charleston, South Carolina, are affecting historic buildings and their masonry materials in a manner that is only beginning to be discussed in the field of Architectural Conservation. By determining the quantity and location of salt deposits within the mortar measured vertically along historic brick walls, this thesis contributes to the understanding of flooding impacts on historic buildings. This thesis analyzes the distribution of chloride vertically up brick or stucco-clad walls of 19th-century masonry buildings on the Battery of Charleston, SC. Systematically collected mortar samples were tested for chloride using Quantofix Chloride semi-quantitative determination of Chloride (0-500-1000-1500-2000-3000 mg/L Cl), Quantab Titrators for Chloride: Low Range 30-600 ppm Cl- (0.005- 0.1% as NaCl), and Quantab Titrators for Chloride: High Range 300-6000 ppm Cl- (0.05-1.0% as NaCl) test strips. Samples were taken at consistent heights across all primary case study buildings. The mortar samples illustrate residual chloride levels at the heights of the chosen datum, and then 3 ft, 6 ft and 9 ft (when applicable) above it.
The four case studies of 9 E Battery Street, 26 S Battery Street, 13 E Battery Street, and 39 E Bay Street each have construction dates in the early to mid-19th century, ranging from circa 1810 to 1853, existing elevation certificates, and were each surveyed before sample collection and analysis to ensure they have similar flooding histories and conditions for comparison. Testing two facades per case study building, this research iii discovered that five out of eight tested facades peaked in chloride content at the sample location height of 6 ft, two out of eight peaked at 3 ft, and one out of eight peaked at the sample datum. These results were further analyzed to correlate with observations from a condition survey and a first-hand account of a Hurricane Hugo flood height. This thesis concluded that the peak chloride deposit heights are not solely based on storm surges but are due to several conditional factors on site. The data generated from this thesis in the chloride deposit patterns also suggest that minor coastal flooding has more of an impact on historic masonry buildings than infrequent, large storm surges.
This thesis adds to the existing literature and suggests that damage to historic buildings from chloride deposits may only increase with the effects of climate change. The methodology and data generated from this thesis can be used by architectural conservators for in-depth studies when mitigating chlorides from a building. It can also be used to make informed decisions regarding future policies surrounding flood resistant materials for saltwater environments.
Recommended Citation
Gaston, Sarah, "A Building Worth Its Salt: Residual Chloride Exposure from Frequent Inundation in 19th-Century Masonry Construction on the Battery of Charleston, South Carolina" (2024). All Theses. 4280.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4280