WATER-ABSORPTION IN MORTAR DETERMINED BY NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) offers the possibility to determine m oisture profiles in porous building materials. Moreover, the relaxatio n of the nuclear magnetic resonance signal can provide additional info rmation on the water distribution in the microstructure. For mortar, i t is shown that the transverse relaxation yields information on the di stribution of water in the gel pores and capillary pores. Moisture pro files and relaxation were measured during water absorption. The effect of the drying treatment on the microstructure and the water absorptio n was investigated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.