Abstract: What is radiation; which part of it is involved in durability problems; how does it affect the organic materials used in and on buildings? Ultraviolet light between 350 and 300 nm is shown to be the most damaging radiation. It acts by changing the chemical structure of the polymers used in organic building materials, consequently affecting their physical properties. Fortunately, the intensity of destructive UV is a small part of the total solar radiation and is reduced as the angle of the sun decreases and by clouds and smoke. Unfortunately, enough UV is received on the surfaces of buildings to cause degradation of materials, particularly when it acts in conjunction with oxygen, water, heat or a combination of these elements.
Canadian Building Digest; no. CBD-121, ISSN:
0008-3097, Publication date:
1970-01