Heating and Drying of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks for Defects of Buildings by Application of Microwave Radiation

Abstract

Experiments of heating and drying of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks were divided into several areas, in which the depth of heating in relation to irradiation time intervals was checked. The impact of individual heating phases on the distribution of the irradiated field and comparison of drying rate at different lengths of the cycle “heating-cooling”. Theoretical potential of construction materials rehabilitation with the use of microwave radiation has been known for many years. This technique has been used by a number of companies in the construction practice. However, obtaining accurate information on suitable devices, procedures of their use, remedial action technique, positives and negatives and potential risks when using microwave radiation is very demanding since the findings obtained from practice are protected by individual companies for their own needs. It is understood that it is part of their “know-how”. The long-term research based on close cooperation between Civil Engineering Faculty, BUT Brno, and S. P. UNI company, tries to make accessible enough information on potential and suitable use of the microwave technology in practice, based on laboratory and in-situ experiments.