The measurement of water transport in porous materials using impedance spectroscopy

This paper describes the application of electrical measurements to monitor the extraction (movement of water from the mortar) of water from calcium lime, natural hydraulic lime and Portland cement mortars placed on an adsorbent brick substrate. Impedance measurements were used to identify the changes in bulk resistance of the mortar. A model has been developed combining sharp front theory and Boltzmann's distribution law of statistical thermodynamics to identify the point at which no further absorption of water into the brick occurs. A linear relationship was found between the exponential of bulk resistance and the square root of time during dewatering. A change in gradient was attributed to the end of dewatering.