Modelling of heat and moisture transfer in concrete at high temperature

Abstract

Moisture diffusion and related fluid pressures play a key role in cracking and spalling of concrete subject to high temperatures. This paper describes recent developments of a mode for moisture and heat transfer in porous materials, to be combined with an existing and well tested meso-mechanical model for concrete. Liquid and gas flows are formulated separately, yet later they can be combined in terms of s single variable, Pv. The material pore distribution curve is taken as the basis for developing a new physically-based desorption isotherm alternative to the traditional Bazant & Thonguthai’s model. A simple academic example for temperatures between 27 and 800ºC is presented to show the behaviour of the model.