Water and heat transfer in cement based materials

Abstract

For the mass transfer case (the absorption of moisture-water into concrete), the water content in concrete has a significant impact on its mechanical properties. Moisture transport in porous media, for example, plays an important role in the degradation of building materials such as mortars and concrete. LWE ignores the complex pore structure and network, typically found in cement materials. Many earlier research works has shown clearly that complex pores structure of concrete, strongly impedes the water penetration. Following this line, we believe also that the changing of pore structure may impose a strong effect on the water capillary suction.