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A model for reactive porous transport during re-wetting of hardened concrete

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Abstract

A mathematical model is developed that captures the transport of liquid water in hardened concrete, as well as the chemical reactions that occur between the imbibed water and the residual calcium-silicate compounds residing in the porous concrete matrix. The main hypothesis in this model is that the reaction product—calcium-silicate hydrate gel—clogs the pores within the concrete, thereby hindering water transport. Numerical simulations are employed to determine the sensitivity of the model solution to changes in various physical parameters, and compare to experimental results available in the literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Michael Chapwanya & John M. Stockie

  2. Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Wentao Liu

Authors
  1. Michael Chapwanya
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  2. John M. Stockie
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  3. Wentao Liu
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Correspondence to John M. Stockie.

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Chapwanya, M., Stockie, J.M. & Liu, W. A model for reactive porous transport during re-wetting of hardened concrete. J Eng Math 65, 53–73 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10665-009-9268-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10665-009-9268-0

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