Determination of the moisture diffusivity of rammed earth from transient capillary absorption moisture content profiles

Abstract

The determination of the moisture diffusivity in the capillary range is studied for rammed earth building materials, using the X-ray method. To prevent liquefaction and expansion of these materials during the capillary absorption test, a brick wick and paper are added as lower sample parts and a confining sealing is utilised. Since the wick and paper bring about a composite case, the compatibility with the Boltzmann transformation must be redeveloped. It is found that the solution lies in adjusting the Boltzmann transformation through the equivalent height capturing the hydraulic impact of the wick and paper on the capillary absorption process.