Rain penetration through thin layer mortar brick facades with open vertical joints

Thin layer mortar brick facades are generally constructed with open vertical joints, which may increase the rain penetration risk. The study focuses on the frequency and intensity of runoff on ceramic brick facades, as a continuous water film over the open joints forms a premise for rain penetration through open joints. Combined CFD and HAM modeling reveals that large parts of the ceramic brick facades can adequately buffer all impinging driving rain: runoff will only arise occasionally at the upper edge. This low intensity runoff will however not yield a water film over the vertical joints: substantial rain penetration can therefore be considered improbable for ceramic brick facades.