Abstract

Concrete shows for the absorption of water a behaviour which differs from that of most other mineral materials. In addition it changes continually it properties with time by hydration and carbonation. In order to examine if the micropores of the hardened cement paste are responsible for this deviant behaviour a porous glass is tested which has a comparable pore structure. In contrast to the cement paste the pore structure of the glass does not change during water absorption or drying. The transport coefficients for water absorption and drying and some other hygrothermal material date are determined and used for the calculation of the moisture transport. The results of calculations and measurements show that for a correct description of the moisture transport in porous materials different coefficients for the process of water absorption, redistribution and drying are needed.