Predicting moisture movement during the drying of concrete floors using finite elements

This paper presents a finite element model that predicts the changing moisture content, in terms of the internal RH, during drying and after the application of the floor covering as the internal RH equilibrates over time. The model accounts for the thickness of the slab, w/c ratio, environmental conditions, boundary conditions. It uses non-linear diffusion coefficients and evaporation rates to accurately model the moisture movement in the slab. The results from the model give good correlations with the experimental readings taken at the various depths over time using hand-held humidity probes.