Abstract
The paper describes an experimental determination of impedance spectroscopy derived resistance measurements to record water transport in limemasonry systems. It strongly supports the use of Sharp Front theory and Boltzmanns distribution law of statistical thermodynamics to corroborate the data obtained. A novel approach is presented for the application of impedance measurements to the water transport between freshly mixed mortars and clay brick substrates. Once placed, fresh mortar is dewatered by brick and during this time the volume fraction water content of the mortar is reduced. An equation is derived relating this change in water content to the bulk resistance of the mortar. Experimental measurements on hydraulic lime mortars placed in contact with brick prisms confirm the theoretical predictions. Further, the results indicate the time at which dewatering of a mortar bed of given depth is completed. The technique has then potential to be applied for in situ monitoring of dewatering as a means of giving insight into the associated changes in mechanical and chemical properties.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 669-677 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |