Abstract
Three-dimensional X-ray microtomography is used to obtain three-dimensional images of the microstructure of two types of brick. The images are processed to remove the noise (random and circular pattern) and then thresholded to match the porosity determined experimentally. The 3-D binary images are then analyzed to estimate their vapor diffusivity and air permeability to compare to experimental data published in part one of this report. Care must be taken in obtaining the tomographic images at a resolution that both enables isolation and quantification of the pores of interest and provides a representative elementary volume for the transport property calculations. In general, the agreement between computed and measured properties is reasonable, suggesting that X-ray microtomography can provide valuable information on the characteristics and properties of the pore networks developed in these porous building materials. A preliminary evaluation indicates that the Katz-Thompson relationship between permeability, diffusivity, and pore size is valid for these materials.
Résumé
La microtomographie à rayons X synchrotron, est utilisée pour obtenir des images tridimensionnelles de la microstructure de deux types de briques. Les images sont tout d’abord traitées pour éliminer le bruit (anneaux aléatoires_ et ensuite seuillées par ajustement avec la porosité déterminée expérimentalement. À partir des images binaires 3D, on estime numériquement la diffusivité à la vapeur et la perméabilité à l’air, les valeurs obtenues sont ensuite comparées avec les données expérimentales publiées dans la partie I de cette communication. Dans le cadre d’une telle procédure, la résolution des images doit à la fois rendre possible la discrimination et la quantification de tous les pores importants vis-à-vis du phénomène étudié et fournir un volume élémentaire représentatif pour le calcul des propriétés de transport. L’accord satisfaisant obtenu entre les valeurs calculées et mesurées montre que la microtomographie X peut fournir des informations pertinentes sur les caractéristiques et les propriétés du réseau poreux des matériaux de construction. Une évaluation préliminaire indique que la relation de Katz-Thompson entre la perméabilité, la diffusivité et la taille des pores est applicable pour ces matériaux.
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Editorial Note Mr. D. P. Bentz is a RILEm Senior, Member. He works at NIST (USA), a titular member. He is also a Member of RILEm Coordinating Committee. He was the 1998 Robert l’Hermite medallist.
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Bentz, D.P., Quenard, D.A., Kunzel, H.M. et al. Microstructure and transport properties of porous building materials. II: Three-dimensional X-ray tomographic studies. Mat. Struct. 33, 147–153 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479408
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479408