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Transport of organic fluids through concrete

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Abstract

The absorption of fluids in concrete is influenced by various parameters such as the surface tension and dynamic viscosity of the fluid, and also the porosity, pore size distribution and the interconnection of the pores in concrete. In addition, chemical reactions between the penetrating fluid and concrete may occur, which affect the absorption behaviour. Chemical reactions can cause deviations from the square-root-of-time relation and a reduction of sorptivity. Both are observed if using water or ethylene glycol as testing fluids. The deviation from the square-root-of-time relation is caused by the dissolving of Ca(OH)2 from the cement matrix by the absorbed fluid. In the case of water, the reduction of the sorptivity is due to rehydration and wetting expansion.

If a fluid is being absorbed in concrete, the effective porosity is smaller than the available porosity. The greater the surface tension of the fluid, the greater the measured effective porosity. This can be explained by trapped air inside the pores, which cannot get out and is being compressed by the capillary pressure, either in dead-end pores or due to fingering of the penetrating fluid. Experimental results on sequential absorption of two different fluids in concrete can only be explained if a trapped pore volume is assumed.

Résumé

L'absorption des fluides dans le béton est influencée par divers paramètres tels la tension superficielle et la viscosité dynamique du fluide, ainsi que la porosité, la répartition du diamètre des pores et l'interconnexion des pores dans le béton. Des réactions chimiques entre le fluide qui pénètre et le béton peuvent se produire et modifier le comportement d'absorption. Ces réactions chimiques peuvent créer des écarts de la relation racine-carrée-du-temps et une réduction de la sorptivité. Les deux effets sont observés lorsqu'on utilise de l'eau ou de l'éthylène glycol comme fluides d'essai. L'écart de la relation racine-carrée-du-temps résulte de la dissolution par le fluide absorbée du Ca(OH)2 de la matrice du béton. Dans le cas de l'eau, la réduction de la sorptivité résulte de la réhydratation ou de la dilatation d'humidification.

Si un fluide est absorbé dans le béton, la porosité effective est moindre que la porosité disponible. Plus grande sera la tension superficielle du fluide, plus grande sera la porosité effective mesurée. Ceci peut s'expliquer par l'air piégé dans les pores, qui ne peut pas s'échapper et qui est comprimé par la tension capillaire, soit dans des pores «cul-de-sac» ou en raison d'une digitation lors de la pénétration du fluide. Des résultats expérimentaux concernant l'absorption séquentielle de deux fluides différents dans le béton ne peuvent être expliqués que si l'on suppose un volume des pores piégés.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Construction Materials, University of Stuttgart, D-70550, Stuttgart, Germany

    Massimo Sosoro

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  1. Massimo Sosoro
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Dr. Massimo Sosoro was awarded the Robert L'Hermite Medal for 1997 at the RILEM Annual Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland on 25 September 1997. This paper is the final version of the lecture he presented on that occasion.

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Sosoro, M. Transport of organic fluids through concrete. Mat. Struct. 31, 162–169 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480390

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