Hygric properties of porous building materials (VII): Full-range benchmark characterizations of three materials

Material properties are requisite for all coupled heat and moisture transfer analysis, crucial to obtain clear insight into and optimized control of the hygrothermal processes in building envelopes and the built environment. Unfortunately, current databases and reported studies fail to provide the hygric properties of porous building materials exhaustively. This study characterized the hygric properties of three porous building materials ? calcium silicate, autoclaved aerated concrete and ceramic brick. Standardized experimental methods were combined with recent novel techniques. All important moisture storage and transport properties were obtained, for the full humidity range, for both absorption and desorption. This completeness makes this data set valuable to the scientific community. The results can be used as material data in hygrothermal simulations and as experimental benchmarks for the validation of material models.

Automated summary

This study characterized the hygric properties of three porous building materials - calcium silicate, autoclaved aerated concrete and ceramic brick, using standardized experimental methods and recent novel techniques. The obtained data on moisture storage and transport properties throughout the full humidity range can be used as material data in hygrothermal simulations and as experimental benchmarks for the validation of material models, providing valuable insights for the scientific community.