A stochastic model for the permeability characteristics of saturated cemented porous media undergoing freezing

Abstract

As the temperature of a saturated porous medium drops, the water in the pores starts to freeze. Since the temperature at which the phase change takes place is dependent on the pore size, the permeability of the medium changes continuously. Simultaneously, due to the expansion of water on freezing, it is forced to migrate through the pore body thus inducing stresses in material matrix. The stresses developed and the consequent frost damage are therefore dependent on the change in the permeability characteristics of the medium on freezing. This paper deals with the numerical prediction of permeability characteristics of porous cemented media saturated with water undergoing progressive freezing. A bond percolation model is used to generate the pore structure according to an assumed poresize distribution. Permeability of the medium at various temperatures is computed by solving the network problem. The computed results are compared with other analytical and experimental results. The proposed model predicts a threshold temperature below which permeability drops to zero. This phenomenon is crucial in developing a deeper understanding of the mechanism of frost damage to cemented porous materials such as bricks, stone, concrete, etc.