Quality evaluation of a material’s surface is performed through roughness analysis of surface samples. Several techniques have been presented to achieve this goal, including geometrical analysis and surface roughness analysis. Geometric analysis allows a visual and subjective evaluation of roughness (a qualitative assessment), whereas computation of the roughness parameters is a quantitative assessment and allows a standardized analysis of the surfaces. In civil engineering, the process is performed with mechanical profilometer equipment (2D) without adequate accuracy and laser profilometer (3D) with no consensus on how to interpret the result quantitatively. This work proposes a new method to evaluate surface roughness, starting from the generation of a visual surface roughness signature, which is calculated through the roughness parameters computed in hierarchically organized regions. The evaluation tools presented in this new method provide a local and more accurate evaluation of the computed coefficients. In the tests performed it was possible to quantitatively analyze roughness differences between ceramic blocks and to find that a quantitative microscale analysis allows to identify the largest variation of roughness parameters R_aavg, R_asdv, R_amin and R_amax between samples, which benefit the evaluation and comparison of the sampled surfaces.

The objective of this article was to study the drying behavior of rendering mortars. Cement-lime mortars with different mix proportions were evaluatedto analyze the influence of mix materials on water transport. The experimental program was produced to observe the transport of liquid water and vapor water in mortars during the drying process. The liquid water transport was studied through capillary absorption and the water vapor transport by the water vapor permeability test. The drying curves used to investigate drying kinetics were obtained according to the methodology recommended by European standard EN 16322. In summary, it is possible to affirm that the aggregate, the binder and water contents determine the behavior of the mortars regarding water transport. The drying index is considered a good indicator of the easiness of both liquid and vapor water transport.