Double porosity models for the description of water infiltration in wood

Abstract

In this paper some of the possibilities of applying double porosity and permeability models to the problem of water infiltration in wood are explored. It is shown that the double porosity model can capture a number of commonly reported anomalies including two-stage infiltration/sorption and apparent sample length dependent transfer parameters. Starting with the double porosity model, several extensions are discussed and the type of principal behaviour possible with the models is elaborated on. Finally, a set of highly anomalous experimental results is fitted to within a reasonable accuracy by a double permeability model.