Isothermal moisture properties of wood-cementitious composites

This article describes a study undertaken to examine the moisture propertie s of lightweight concrete prepared from clay, cement, and wood aggregates a t isothermal conditions. The sorption-desorption isotherm curves of differe nt mixtures show a strong hysteresis. The effect of wood aggregates on the water absorption of composite has been investigated by gamma ray absorption spectrometer. It is found that the sorptivity of the composite is very aff ected by the presence of wood aggregates in clay-cement matrix. Test result s have been confirmed both qualitatively, using magnetic resonance imaging method, and quantitatively, from capillary suction curve calculated from so rption isotherm and pore size distribution. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.