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A new automatic method for continuous measurement of the capillary water

absorption of building materials

Article  in  Construction and Building Materials · January 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.110

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 Construction and Building Materials 160 (2018) 639–643

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

A new automatic method for continuous measurement of the capillary

water absorption of building materials
M. Al-Naddaf
Department of Conservation and Management of Cultural Resources, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

h i g h l i g h t s

This study compares a new technique to measure W_value and saturation coefficient of building materials with conventional methods.

The new technique can measure the capillary absorption coefficient and saturation coefficient of building materials automatically and continuously.

The new method is accurate, fast and save efforts.

The new method is combatable with the conventional methods.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This study compares a new automated technique, developed by the author, with DIN 52617, the conven-
Received 11 September 2017 tional technique used to measure the capillary water absorption coefficient (W_value), and with DIN
Received in revised form 19 November 2017 52620 used to measure the capillary saturation (CS) of building materials. For this study, two different
Accepted 20 November 2017
types of stone samples (sandstone from Petra and limestone from northern Jordan) and two types of mor-
tars (air lime mortar and Portland cement (Type A) mortar) were taken into consideration. For compar-
ison reasons, the selection of samples ensured considerable differences in their physical properties. All
Keywords:
the samples were measured to determine their W_value and CS by using the conventional technique
Capillary water absorption coefficient
Capillary saturation
(DIN 52617 and DIN 52620), then compared to the devised technique. The obtained results showed that
Automatic measurement there is no significant differences between the two techniques, and thus indicate that the new technique
Capillary rise method is highly compatible with the DIN 52617 and DIN 52620.
Limestone Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sandstone
Portland cement mortar
Air mortar

1. Introduction building materials [10,15,16,24]. The influence of capillary pro-

Among the various agents that are harmful to stone, humidity
of different origins is one of the most important. Moisture is asso-
ciated with most of weathering mechanisms; without water there
would be no chemical reactions of stone constituents, soluble salts
would not be transported, and there would be no crystallization
and recrystallization. In addition, airborne atmospheric pollutants
would not be dissolved and transported deep into the stone, so
they would not remain in contact with stone constituents for a
long time causing little, if any, deterioration [22,23,4,20,14,13,1].
There are different mechanisms that are responsible for the
transportation of water and dissolved harmful materials in porous
building stones such as direct penetration of rain water, capillary
rise, condensation and hygroscopicity. Therefore, water absorption
by capillary rise strongly influences the deterioration of porous
E-mail address: naddaf@yu.edu.jo
cesses on porous building stones is expressed quantitatively by
the water absorption coefficient (W-value) and the water penetra-
tion coefficient (B-value) [18].
Water enters capillary pores when the attraction to the pores
surface is stronger than the water-water attraction. Thus, the effi-
ciency of the suction force depends on the nature of the pores sur-
faces and diameters. The capillary absorption coefficient is the
mass of water absorbed by a test specimen per face area and per
square root of time. It is expressed for a porous material based
on the Washburn law as:
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
r ccosh
W ¼ q/
2g
where q is the density of the liquid, g the viscosity of the liquid, /
the porosity of the sample, r the pore radius, c the surface tension of
the liquid and h is the contact angle [5,12].

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.110
0950-0618/Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
640 M. Al-Naddaf / Construction and Building Materials 160 (2018) 639–643

Several techniques can be used to measure the capillary water

absorption coefficient of porous building materials, of which the
capillary suction test is the most commonly used. This technique
is described by many standards such as NBN B14-201: 1973, DIN
52617: 1990, prEN 480-5: 1996, EN 1925: 1999 and prEN 13057:
2000 [7]. In addition, other techniques such as Karsten tube
method, Sponge contact method [27], Pipette (micro water drop)
method [25] and Digitized micro-tube system [9], can non-
destructively be used to measure the capillary water absorption
coefficient of porous building materials.
Each of these techniques has its own advantages and disadvan-
tages; the capillary rise test, for example, is a destructive technique
as it requires sampling and is time-consuming. On the other hand,
this technique is considered the most accurate one to measure the
capillary water absorption of porous building materials, which can
Fig. 1. Setup for automatic measurement water absorption by capillary suction
be attributed to the following factors: i) weight of the measured (after Courard and Darimont [6]).
sample is reported to precision of 0.001 g, and ii) the measurement
is performed in the lab so that the climatic conditions (tempera-
ture and relative humidity) which may affect the results are con-
absorption but decreases due to salt dissolution and diffusion. This
trolled. Karsten tube has been used for several decades to
issue may adversely affect the accuracy of measurements [3].
measure the capillary absorption coefficient of porous building
Another innovative technique for water uptake measurement
materials in situ; the application of this method possesses further
was developed by Drdácký and Slížková [9]; the so called Digitized
obstacles: i) the tube does not measure the initial water absorption
micro-tube system is based on the ability to make an electronic
because the first measurement is taken after 5 min, ii) the tech-
recording of the data which records the water uptake from the very
nique is not easy to handle, and iii) the need for two operators.
beginning and makes continuous measurements of water infusion
Due to these obstacles, this method is not very user-friendly [27],
into the surface. The main disadvantage of this technique is that
[8], Drdácký et al., 2013, [26]. Nevertheless, its most important
the obtained data covers a very short period of water absorption,
advantage is that it is nondestructive.
due to the limited amount of water in the tube [9].
Sponge contact method is relatively a new one, which was
To overcome the disadvantages of other methods such as
developed by Tiano and Pardini to measure the water absorption
weight decrease due to salts dissolution, the manual operation
behavior of porous building materials in 2004. The technique is
and the short period of measurement, a new automatic technique
fast, cheap, non-destructive, and can be conducted in situ or in
for the measurement of the capillary water absorption, which does
lab. The major disadvantage of this method is the lack of published
not depend on the weight increase of the sample when absorbing
comparable results, and the lack of standard procedures [27].
water, was developed by the author. This study aims primarily at
Unfortunately, this method measures only the initial water absorp-
testing the compatibility of this technique with conventional
tion behavior of the material.
techniques.
Pipette or micro drop measurement is a nondestructive test
used in the field of conservation to measure water absorption
behavior of building materials. The test measures the absorption 2. Materials and methods
time of a fixed quantity of water on a horizontal surface. Distilled
water drop (10 + 2 ml) is dropped from a height of 1 cm above the 2.1. Materials
sample. The time the drop takes to be completely absorbed is then
measured ([11], UNESCO/RILEM). This method measures only the For the purpose of this study, four types of porous building
initial water absorption behavior of the material, since the limited materials, commonly used in Jordan, were taken into considera-
quantity of water (10 ml) is absorbed by the surface of the tested tion. Three sandstone samples from the Disi Sandstone (Ordovi-
materials in few seconds. Moreover, the micro water drop method cian) Formations in Petra and three limestone samples from the
cannot be applied in the field on sun heated or dirty surfaces, nei- Massive Limestone Formation (Upper Cretaceous) exposing in
ther during direct insolation nor wind [28]. northern Jordan were used in this study. Limestone from this for-
All the above-mentioned methods and techniques used to mea- mation was used in constructing many important archaeological
sure the water absorption behavior of building materials are simi- structures, e. g. the Decapolis. Furthermore, it is the main source
lar in that they are manual and require a full-time operator during for building stones in modern constructions in Jordan [2].
the measurements which may last for a long time. To overcome In addition to sandstone and limestone samples, three air lime
this disadvantage, Courard and Darimont [6] and Plagge et al. mortars with different aggregate/cement mixing ratios; 1:1, 1:2,
[21] developed an innovative automatic method that registers con- and 1:3 by volume and three Portland cement (Type 1) mortar with
tinuously the variation of mass of the sample immersed into water, aggregate/cement mixing ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 by volume were
from which the capillary water absorption coefficient can be calcu- prepared as recommended by Lawrence and Walker [17]. Cylindri-
lated (Fig. 1). cal samples with 5.5 cm diameter and a height ranging between 7
The main difficulty of this method is keeping the water level in and 10 cm were prepared by moulding. The mixture for the air
which the sample is immersed constantly, which to a certain lime-based mortar consisted of 1 part of dry hydrated high calcium
extent but not completely, is achieved by the movable support. lime and 1, 2 or 3 parts of silicate sand by volume using water/lime
Furthermore, the capillary water absorption coefficient calculated ratios of 0.7. Mortar samples were de-moulded after 7 days and
by this technique depends on the weight increase of the sample cured in a controlled environment of 60% RH at 25 °C for 30 days.
due to water absorption. However, the weight increase of samples The same preparation method was applied for the Portland
containing salts will be affected by dissolving salts trapped in their cement-based mortar, with only one difference as the water/Port-
pores and their transportation through the water film in contact land cement ratio was 0.5. Some important physical properties of
with the sample. Therefore, their weight will increase due to water the studied samples are given in Table 1.
 M. Al-Naddaf / Construction and Building Materials 160 (2018) 639–643 641

2.2. Methods
2.2.1. Capillary rise method (CRM)
In order to examine the validity of the newly devised technique,
the results of capillary absorption values (W_value) and capillary
saturation obtained by the new technique were compared to those
obtained by applying the CRM, taking into account the fact that the
later technique is the most precise and is frequently used for mea-
suring the W_value of building materials [6]. CRM measurements
were performed as recommended by Von Plehwe-Leisen et al.
[28] and Courard and Darimont [6] according to DIN 52617 as
follows:
Drill cores of known diameters and weights were put on a dis-
tilled water-saturated towel, after removing surface water which
has not been absorbed using a humid cloth; the weight increase
of the sample was then recorded after fixed contact times. Follow-
ing this, the relation between the square root of time (h) (x-axis)
and weight increase per area (kg/m2) (y-axis) was drawn; the slope
of this relationship equals to the W_value.
weight increaseðkgÞ
W value ¼ 0:5
areaðm2 Þ  timeðh Þ
The W_value was calculated by a special Excel formula.
One the other hand, the capillary saturation was measured
according to DIN 52620 as follows:
A dry sample of a known weight was put on a water-saturated
towel; the weight of the sample was periodically measured until
there was no more increase. When the pores in the specimen were
fully filled, the wet weight was recorded, and the capillary satura-
tion was calculated by applying the following equation:
during the measurement, but allowing air trapped in the pores to
escape.
The samples were fixed on a special beaker with a wide neck
using impermeable and consistent Plastiline to avoid the leakage
of water between the sample and the beaker. The beaker was
equipped with a glass tube with a valve, reaching to the bottom
of the sample to prevent the air from being entrapped below the
sample. The beaker was connected to a glass tube, which was filled
with water (Fig. 2), and a digital displacement tracer was fixed hor-
izontally on the tube. When absorbed by the sample, the water
level in the tube dropped. AmemoÒ 8690 instrument for measured
data acquisition, with data logger function, was used in this study
to automatically and continuously (each minute) record water
level in the tube. The relative humidity and temperature in the
lab were also recorded. The ACAM used an Almemo displacement
tracer (TR50) with a resolution of 1 lm. The diameter of the tube,
on which the tracer was fixed, was 27.9 mm. Consequently, each
millimetre displacement means water absorption equals to 0.611
p
ml (g). The relation between the square root of time ( h) and
2 2
the water level decrease per sample area (l/m or kg/m ) was plot-
ted; the slope of this relationship equals to W_value.
When no more pores to be fulfilled, the tracer would stop mov-
ing; the total moving distance was recorded, and the amount of
absorbed water was calculated. The capillary saturation (CS) was
calculated by applying the following equation:
total mov ement of the tracer ðmmÞ  0:611
Capillary saturation ð%Þ ¼
dry weight ðgÞ
 100%

wet weight  dry weight
Capillary saturation ð%Þ ¼  100%
dry weight
2.2.2. Automated capillary absorption measurement (ACAM)
To measure the W_value of porous building materials continu-
ously and automatically, a new technique was developed. This
technique was adopted and used by Al-Naddaf [3] to overcome
the problem of the inaccuracy of the results due to salt dissolution
in the pores of the tested building materials during the
measurements.
The specimens used for the purpose of this study were drill
cores of about 5.5 cm diameter and a length ranging between 7
and 10 cm; excluding one base, the samples were covered with
Parafilm to avoid lateral penetration and evaporation of water
The temperature and relative humidity were kept constant; 20
± 2 °C and 65 ± 5%, respectively during the measurements. The sys-
tem was equipped with a burette to supply water before the mea-
surement starts; this burette was kept closed during the
measurement. Each sample was measured at least 5 times by
CRM and 5 times by ACAM. The average W_value for each sample
obtained by each method was calculated.
The measurement period in the 2 methods varied depending on
the nature of the samples; pores in the samples with a high capil-
lary water absorption (air lime mortar samples) required a shorter
time to fulfil. Therefore, the measurement was stopped after about
one hour, while the pores in sandstone and Portland cement mor-
tar required a longer time to fulfil, 2.5–3 h. In the case of samples
with low capillary absorption (the limestone samples), the mea-
surement period extended to more than 24 h.

Table 1
Physical properties of the studied samples.

Sample No. Sample type Water uptake under atmospheric Water uptake under Open porosity Absolute density Apparent density
pressure (M%)** vacuum (M%)** (%)*** (g/cm3)**** (g/cm3)****
LM1 Air lime mortar (1:1)* 12.58 12.86 24.84 2.57 1.93
LM2 Air lime mortar (2:1)* 16.64 16.92 30.50 2.59 1.80
LM3 Air lime mortar (3:1)* 23.94 24.56 38.66 2.57 1.57
PCM1 Portland Cement mortar (1:1)* 8.92 9.02 18.23 2.47 2.02
PCM2 Portland Cement mortar (2:1)* 10.12 10.22 20.38 2.50 1.99
PCM3 Portland Cement mortar (3:1)* 10.63 10.81 21.39 2.52 1.98
S.St1 Sandstone 4.89 6.30 13.68 2.51 2.17
S.St2 Sandstone 4.96 6.21 13.43 2.50 2.16
S.St3 Sandstone 5.19 6.84 14.72 2.53 2.15
An3 Limestone 0.50 0.56 1.49 2.71 2.67
Ds2 Limestone 2.85 3.32 8.09 2.65 2.44
AB1 Limestone 4.29 4.82 11.28 2.64 2.34
*
Mixing ratio (Aggregate: Binding material).
**
According to DIN 52103.
***
According to Rilem tests No. I.1.
****
According to Rilem tests No. I.2.
642 M. Al-Naddaf / Construction and Building Materials 160 (2018) 639–643

Fig. 2. Experiment setup for ACAM.

Table 2
Comparison between the experimental (ACAM) and (CRM) results.

Sample No. W_value (kg2/m2 h0.5) Capillary saturation (%)

CRM ACAM Difference%** CRM ACAM Difference%***
Average St. D Average St D Average St. D Average St. D
LM1 13.71 1.48 13.62 1.52 0.58 10.77 0.95 10.91 1.10 1.3
LM2 17.52 2.62 17.59 2.4 0.40 12.14 1.96 12.01 1.94 1.1
LM3 25.72 4.24 25.83 4.01 0.51 18.73 3.69 19.10 5.4 2.0
S.St1 2.09 0.06 2.12 0.04 1.44 4.59 0.034 4.66 0.09 1.5
S.St2 2.35 0.24 2.2 0.15 6.38 4.72 0.070 4.75 0.21 0.6
S.St3 2.40 0.26 2.53 0.19 5.42 4.91 0.183 5.04 0.21 2.6
PCM1 2.02 0.41 2.01 0.35 0.50 7.80 0.252 7.64 0.51 2.1
PCM2 4.53 0.42 4.4 4.5 2.87 8.44 0.333 8.51 3.1 0.8
PCM3 6.25 0.44 6.04 0.32 3.36 9.61 0.208 9.65 0.41 0.4
AN3 0.01 0 0.011 0 10.00 0.41 0.030 0.45 0.01 9.8
DS2 0.62 0.06 0.63 0.08 1.61 1.90 0.075 1.86 0.14 2.1
AB1 0.96 0.19 0.94 0.09 2.08 3.11 0.063 3.08 0.07 1.0

3. Results and discussion
The physical properties of the studied samples varied consider-
ably; their porosity ranging between 1.49 and 38.66% and the
water uptake under atmospheric pressure ranging from 0.5 to
23.94% while the water uptake under vacuum varied from 0.56
to 24.56%. Samples with the lowest water uptake and porosity
were the limestone samples while those with the highest values
for these properties were the air lime mortar.
The average W_values of the studied samples measured by
applying the CRM ranged between 0.01 and 25.72 kg/m2 h0.5. Sam-
ples with the lowest W_value were the limestone samples with an
average value ranging between 0.01 and 0.96 kg/m2 h0.5, while the
samples with the highest W_values were those made of air lime
mortar with values ranges between 13.71 and 25.72 kg/m2 h0.5
(Table 2).
There were no significant differences between the W_value cal-
culated by CRM and that calculated by ACAM; the difference
between the two methods ranged between 0.5 and 10%. The rela-
tionship between the results of the two methods was drawn and
the coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated. An R2 of 1.0
indicates that the regression line perfectly fits the data [19]. From
this relationship and the calculated coefficient of determination
(0.999), it can be inferred that the two measurement methods
are compatible (Fig. 3A).
To test the validity of the new method (ACAM) to measure the
capillary saturation (CS), CS results measured by ACAM were com-
pared with those obtained by CRM. The average CS of the studied
samples measured by CRM varied considerably; it ranged between
0.41% and 18.73%; samples with the highest CS were those made of
air lime mortar, while limestone samples had the lowest CS. How-
ever, the results obtained by applying ACAM do not deviate signif-
icantly; the difference percentage between the results of the two
methods, except for sample AN3, is less than 3%. The coefficient
of determination for the two types of measurements is almost 1
(Fig. 3B).
4. Conclusions
The results of this study show that the examined technique
measuring automatically the capillary water absorption coefficient
of building materials (ACAM) is highly compatible with the con-
ventional method (CRM) as the difference between the results
obtained by the two techniques is not significant.
However, as the W_value of building materials decreases, the
difference in the percentages between the two methods increases;
the empirical formula that represents the relationship between the
results of the two methods can be written as follows:
W v alueðACAMÞ ¼ ð1:003  W v alueðCRMÞ Þ  0:044:
 M. Al-Naddaf / Construction and Building Materials 160 (2018) 639–643 643

30 25
y = 1.0036x - 0.0448 A B
y = 1.0129x - 0.0491
25 R² = 0.9998 20 R² = 0.9995

W_value (ACAM method)

CS % (ACAM metod)
20
15
15
10
10

5 5

0 0
0 10 20 30 0 5 10 15 20
W_value (CRM method) CS % (CRM method)

Fig. 3. Relationship between the results of the CRM and ACAM methods. A for W_value and B for CS.

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