Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes

R. A. Hagi; J. R. Littlewood; F. Sanna

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes

R. A. Hagi^*
, J. R. Littlewood
, F. Sanna

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

STUDENT PAPER: Infrared Thermography Testing (IRT) has gained significant traction as a non-destructive method for identifying pathological manifestations in building envelopes. This study presents a core innovation in using passive IRT for thermal assessment in the construction phase. By harnessing natural solar loading, the method enables early detection of thermal bridging, air leakage, and other construction related defects in masonry buildings. The method builds upon and refines the In-Construction Testing (iCT) framework originally proposed by Littlewood (2020). This proactive approach supports quality assurance, enhances energy efficiency, and offers a practical, cost-effective tool for ensuring the thermal integrity of building envelopes before completion.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025
Editors	John Littlewood, Antonio Gagliano, Robert J. Howlett, Lakhmi C. Jain
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages	187-196
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Print)	9783032146762
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2026
Event	17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB 2025 - Catania, Italy Duration: 17 Sept 2025 → 19 Sept 2025

Publication series

Name	Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies
Volume	470 SIST
ISSN (Print)	2190-3018
ISSN (Electronic)	2190-3026

Conference

Conference	17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB 2025
Country/Territory	Italy
City	Catania
Period	17/09/25 → 19/09/25

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Construction phase
Passive IRT
Thermal assessment

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

Cite this

Hagi, R. A., Littlewood, J. R., & Sanna, F. (2026). Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes. In J. Littlewood, A. Gagliano, R. J. Howlett, & L. C. Jain (Eds.), Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025 (pp. 187-196). (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; Vol. 470 SIST). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

Hagi, R. A. ; Littlewood, J. R. ; Sanna, F. / Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes. Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025. editor / John Littlewood ; Antonio Gagliano ; Robert J. Howlett ; Lakhmi C. Jain. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026. pp. 187-196 (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies).

@inproceedings{4e0d302087cc4b27b7d4c45d7c24ea89,

title = "Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes",

abstract = "STUDENT PAPER: Infrared Thermography Testing (IRT) has gained significant traction as a non-destructive method for identifying pathological manifestations in building envelopes. This study presents a core innovation in using passive IRT for thermal assessment in the construction phase. By harnessing natural solar loading, the method enables early detection of thermal bridging, air leakage, and other construction related defects in masonry buildings. The method builds upon and refines the In-Construction Testing (iCT) framework originally proposed by Littlewood (2020). This proactive approach supports quality assurance, enhances energy efficiency, and offers a practical, cost-effective tool for ensuring the thermal integrity of building envelopes before completion.",

keywords = "Construction phase, Passive IRT, Thermal assessment",

author = "Hagi, \{R. A.\} and Littlewood, \{J. R.\} and F. Sanna",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.; 17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB 2025 ; Conference date: 17-09-2025 Through 19-09-2025",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9\_18",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783032146762",

series = "Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies",

publisher = "Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH",

pages = "187--196",

editor = "John Littlewood and Antonio Gagliano and Howlett, \{Robert J.\} and Jain, \{Lakhmi C.\}",

booktitle = "Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025",

}

Hagi, RA, Littlewood, JR & Sanna, F 2026, Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes. in J Littlewood, A Gagliano, RJ Howlett & LC Jain (eds), Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol. 470 SIST, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, pp. 187-196, 17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB 2025, Catania, Italy, 17/09/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes. / Hagi, R. A.; Littlewood, J. R.; Sanna, F.
Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025. ed. / John Littlewood; Antonio Gagliano; Robert J. Howlett; Lakhmi C. Jain. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026. p. 187-196 (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; Vol. 470 SIST).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes

AU - Hagi, R. A.

AU - Littlewood, J. R.

AU - Sanna, F.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

PY - 2026/4/1

Y1 - 2026/4/1

N2 - STUDENT PAPER: Infrared Thermography Testing (IRT) has gained significant traction as a non-destructive method for identifying pathological manifestations in building envelopes. This study presents a core innovation in using passive IRT for thermal assessment in the construction phase. By harnessing natural solar loading, the method enables early detection of thermal bridging, air leakage, and other construction related defects in masonry buildings. The method builds upon and refines the In-Construction Testing (iCT) framework originally proposed by Littlewood (2020). This proactive approach supports quality assurance, enhances energy efficiency, and offers a practical, cost-effective tool for ensuring the thermal integrity of building envelopes before completion.

AB - STUDENT PAPER: Infrared Thermography Testing (IRT) has gained significant traction as a non-destructive method for identifying pathological manifestations in building envelopes. This study presents a core innovation in using passive IRT for thermal assessment in the construction phase. By harnessing natural solar loading, the method enables early detection of thermal bridging, air leakage, and other construction related defects in masonry buildings. The method builds upon and refines the In-Construction Testing (iCT) framework originally proposed by Littlewood (2020). This proactive approach supports quality assurance, enhances energy efficiency, and offers a practical, cost-effective tool for ensuring the thermal integrity of building envelopes before completion.

KW - Construction phase

KW - Passive IRT

KW - Thermal assessment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105041037752

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:105041037752

SN - 9783032146762

T3 - Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies

SP - 187

EP - 196

BT - Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025

A2 - Littlewood, John

A2 - Gagliano, Antonio

A2 - Howlett, Robert J.

A2 - Jain, Lakhmi C.

PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

T2 - 17th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB 2025

Y2 - 17 September 2025 through 19 September 2025

ER -

Hagi RA, Littlewood JR , Sanna F. Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes. In Littlewood J, Gagliano A, Howlett RJ, Jain LC, editors, Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2025. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. 2026. p. 187-196. (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-14677-9_18

Passive Infrared Thermography for Quality Assurance in Masonry Building Envelopes

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Cite this