Research in moisture transport through one and two-layered porous composites

Research into the moisture transport processes in porous materials is primarily important for theoretical modelling and industrial applications in the design of energy saving buildings and living environments, etc. Based on experimental investigation, we propose new models which describe one-dimensional transport through one-layered uniform materials and dissimilar two-layered composites. Diffusivity as a function of moisture content is obtained through a Boltzman transformation, master curves, and combined numerical and regression techniques. Transport processes in one and two-layered composites are simulated on the basis of extended unsaturated Darcy’s Law using the finite element method (FEM). Simulation results show significantly different transport patterns of moisture profile when moisture migrates in different directions, and high agreement with experimental moisture profiles.