Modelling of moisture and salt transport incorporating salt crystallization in porous media

Title: Modelling of moisture and salt transport incorporating salt crystallization in porous media
Author(s): H. Derluyn, P. Moonen, J. Carmeliet
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Concrete Modelling - ConMod '08
Editor(s): E. Schlangen and G. De Schutter
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-060-8
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-076-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2008
Pages: 535 - 542
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 8
Language: English

Abstract: In this paper, a finite element model is presented, describing moisture and salt transport combined with salt crystallization in porous materials. Salt crystallization is modelled within the theory of poromechanics, as developed by Coussy [1]. This theory is scaled up to the macrolevel, taking into account the dependence of crystallization on supersaturation, pore radius and relative humidity. The change of the transport properties due to blocking of pores, caused by the presence of crystallization products, is covered by using a multiscale network model as presented by Carmeliet et al. [2].
The model is validated using measurements on hydrophobated specimens of calcium silicate. The validation experiments consist of saturating the test samples with a salt solution, followed by a drying process during wich salt crystallization occurs. The moisture and salt transport as well as the crystallization are covered by the developed model. As the model is developed in a generic way, it can be used for other building materials like concrete as well.

Online publication: 2009-06-15
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00