Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
The Physics of Water Transfer in Stone
9.1. General concepts and terminology
As can be seen in the previous chapter, the analysis and treatment of decay
situations often require us to deal with different parameters that help us describe the
behavior of the considered materials towards water. “State” variables can
characterize the amount of water and its distribution in the stone (humidity,
condensation, etc.) or, when water movements are of interest, notions such as:
infiltration, capillary rise, run-off, etc. that are transfer phenomena related to the
“dynamic” of many weathering processes. Therefore, at the beginning of this
chapter devoted to the physics of water transfer in stone, definitions related to water
fixation and movements (transfers) in a stone material are given and the
corresponding terminology is detailed.
9.1.1
. Water intake
As in [WIN 94], for instance, it is first useful to distinguish between the various
mechanisms that could drive water into stone masonry.
9.1.1.1.
Capillary rises
When the basement of a wall is in contact with liquid water, this water can
migrate into the masonry. Generally speaking, this is called
infiltration
1
, and more
1
Derived
from the Latin “
in
”: in and
“
filtrum
”: felt, filter, penetrating a porous material.
