A new automatic method for continuous measurement of the capillary water absorption of building materials

This study compares a new automated technique, developed by the author, with DIN 52617, the conventional technique used to measure the capillary water absorption coefficient (W_value), and with DIN 52620 used to measure the capillary saturation (CS) of building materials. For this study, two different types of stone samples (sandstone from Petra and limestone from northern Jordan) and two types of mortars (air lime mortar and Portland cement (Type A) mortar) were taken into consideration. For comparison reasons, the selection of samples ensured considerable differences in their physical properties. All the samples were measured to determine their W_value and CS by using the conventional technique (DIN 52617 and DIN 52620), then compared to the devised technique. The obtained results showed that there is no significant differences between the two techniques, and thus indicate that the new technique is highly compatible with the DIN 52617 and DIN 52620.