Abstract
Hygric properties can be estimated directly from pore structure information, represented by a network of regularly shaped pores, extracted from a pore structure image to conserve the real topology. On this network, pore-scale models of moisture behaviour determine the hygric properties of moisture storage and transport. The reliability of this approach is validated with a sintered-glass filter. Despite its more limited heterogeneity and pore size range relative to typical porous building materials, it provides a good basis for validating crucial pore-scale moisture processes. Measured storage data compare well to the estimated ad- and desorption moisture retention curves as well as to the saturated and capillary moisture content. Furthermore, the simulated whole-range moisture permeability curve agrees acceptably with measured data. The variation in modelling the pore space as a pore network model is also analysed by considering two distinct pore network extraction methods. The measured and simulated moisture contents agree well for the whole capillary range. Moreover, the resulting transport properties are generally accurate for the whole moisture content range. On the other hand, the estimated vapour permeabilities show notable variations between the two pore network models.
Highlights
A reliable moisture assessment of building components is crucial in designing sustainable and durable built structures and in creating healthy and comfortable living environments
Despite its more limited heterogeneity and pore size range relative to typical porous building materials, it provides a good basis for validating crucial pore-scale moisture processes
As an alternative to measurements, numerical studies have been proposed to determine the hygric properties of building materials from a network of pores and throats constructed from their basic pore structure information. [1] constructed a regular two-dimensional pore network model with a presumed pore size distribution to determine sorption isotherms and water vapour permeabilities. [2] improved the method by incorporating measured moisture storage functions as well as permeabilities at low and capillary saturation levels to estimate the unsaturated permeability curve
Summary
A reliable moisture assessment of building components is crucial in designing sustainable and durable built structures and in creating healthy and comfortable living environments Such an assessment requires the hygric properties of the building materials, whose accuracy determines the assessment reliability. As an alternative to measurements, numerical studies have been proposed to determine the hygric properties of building materials from a network of pores and throats constructed from their basic pore structure information. Https://doi.org/10.10 51/matecconf /201928202024 pore network to simulate the moisture-related processes This approach currently is still limited to an exemplary study and has not been validated yet. This study is conducted to validate such a topological pore network approach for the estimation of moisture storage and transport properties of building materials. The confrontation of measured and estimated moisture storage and moisture transport properties concludes the paper
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