Moisture Intrusion Inspections of Stadiums
through the use of Thermal Imagery
Craig T. Saunders
Thermal Imaging Techniques
Wilmington, NC
ABSTRACT
Most everyone has visited a stadium in this day and age. We live and work in order to enjoy life and our
leisure activities. A lot of our leisure time is spent following our favorite teams at stadiums and arenas
around the country. Stadiums are susceptible to the elements. Moisture intrusion into these stadiums can
cause havoc on the maintenance personnel and tenants of these structures.
This paper will explore the possibility of testing these stadiums through the nondestructive use of infrared
(IR) thermal imagery. We will discuss detection and evaluation of moisture's effect on not only the
stadium seating but also offices and vendor sites beneath the seating. Cost avoidance and cost saving
measures that can be implemented within a budget as to save the stadium owners large maintenance
charges will be discussed. Waterproofing agents and sealers that can enhance the life of these stadiums
and thermal imagery has proven to be one of the most reliable and cost effective testing applications in
the moisture intrusion arena.
Keywords: Stadium, thermal imaging, infrared thermography, moisture intrusion, maintenance,
waterproofing, infrared, camera
INTRODUCTION
Infrared (IR) thermal imaging was found to be an effective way of inspecting, detecting and evaluating
moisture intrusion in all types of building envelope systems. The types of structures that we will discuss in
this paper are stadiums. These large complexes are susceptible to environmental factors such as solar
heating and inclement weather conditions. The largest difference between standard buildings and these
stadiums is that standard buildings have roofing systems and insulation where as stadiums are mostly
concrete structures left to the elements.
The subject stadium of this work is the United States Olympic Baseball stadium training facility in Durham,
North Carolina. The owners of this facility requested a thermal survey in order to determine the extent of
the moisture intrusion from the stadium seating to the offices and vendor sites below the mezzanine. A
detailed description of the fault and cause was followed by a recommendation to prevent this type of
moisture intrusion in the future
MOISTURE INTRUSION INSPECTIONS OF STADIUMS BY THERMAL IMAGERY
Stadiums by definition are sports arenas, usually oval or horseshoe shaped, with tiers of seats for
spectators. Most all stadiums are subjected to abuse whether by the patrons or by the elements. These
structures hold up reasonably well under these conditions and the life expectancy for all these facilities is
fairly long.
The stadium that was chosen as the subject of this paper is in its early teens and it has numerous
moisture intrusion problems that are correctable with the proper care. Thermal imagery can help identify
these problems and also act as a guide to the contractors in the repair process.
The use of infrared thermal imagery during the evaluation process is an integral tool for this type of
investigation. The value of being able to see into a problem allows everyone involved to have much
needed information in order to make intelligent decisions. The United States Olympic Baseball Team
training facility in Durham, North Carolina needed to solve their moisture intrusion problems without
InfraMation 2003
ITC 092 A 2003-08-15
