Hydraulic and hygrothermal properties of lightweight concrete blocks with basaltic lapilli as aggregate

The concrete block with lapilli (LCB) is commonly used in the Canary Islands. The basaltic lapilli is an aggregate of volcanic origin which provides a low density and thermal conductivity to LCBs due to its high porosity. But water retention is the main disadvantage of this block, because thermal insulation properties are severely compromised. In this study an analysis of the hygrothermal behavior of LCB by dielectric spectroscopy (DS), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and thermal conductivity determination has been performed. The results of this work provided strong correlations between pore parameters (mainly critical pore diameter and pore connectivity) and liquid permeability.