Flow calculation and thermodynamics in wet frost exposure of cement based materials

The calculation of moisture transport from a wet surface and into cement based materials (CBM) exposed to frost is further studied, limited to a case with continously wet surface and constant temperature gradient dT/dx. The pressure created during phase transition of pore water to ice in the highly saturated CBM is considered a major driving force. The pressure is first calculated and analyzed using reversible thermodynamics. The pressures measured in practice and deduced theoretically vary within a rather large span. This is discussed in relation to the involved quantities (volume of unfrozen water and ice, enthalpy). Transport is calculated using d'Arcys law in the described wet frost exposure.