ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 25 August 2009
Page Count: 20

Concrete Hygrothermal Properties and the Influence of their Variability on Moisture Movement in Concrete Walls

Onmura, Sadayuki
Technical Research Institute, Asanuma Corporation, Osaka, Takatsuki-Shi

Hokoi, Shuichi
Dept. of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto Univ., Kyoto,

Matsushita, Takayuki
Dept. of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe Univ., Hyogo,

Ogura, Daisuke
Dept. of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto Univ., Kyoto,

Kominami, Kazuya
General Building Research Corporation of Japan, Osaka,

Yasui, Yoshitaka
Research and Development Dept., Environmental Technology Laboratory, Daikin Industries Ltd., Osaka,

(Received 17 July 2008; accepted 30 June 2009)

Abstract

The vapor permeability, equilibrium moisture content, hydraulic conductivity, and thermal conductivity of concrete specimens with three different strengths were measured under various conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Based on the measured results, the relationship between hygrothermal properties and strength, and the relationship between hygrothermal properties, water content, and temperature were considered. The variability of measured hygrothermal properties was clarified. Then, to evaluate the influence that the variability of hygrothermal properties has on the hygrothermal behaviors of a concrete wall, a water absorption experiment using a small-scale concrete wall with tile finishing was carried out under constant temperature. The experimental result shows a significantly difference between three specimens in the hygrothermal behaviors, which is partly because of the variability of the hygrothermal properties.

Keywords:
concrete, hygrothermal property, variability, measurement and absorption experiment

Paper ID: JAI102027
DOI: 10.1520/JAI102027
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