Pressure from crystallization in pore channels

George W. Scherer, Sonia Gupta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The growth rate of salt crystals in stone is slower than would be predicted on the basis of growth rates observed in free solution. To account for this observation, it has been proposed that salt crystals have difficulty changing their growth direction at junctions in the pore network. To test this idea, pore channels were prepared in a hexagonal pattern in PDMS and covered with a glass sheet. The pores were filled with sodium sulfate solution and cooled to create supersaturatio, so that crystals would grow in the channels. It was observed that the crystals jumped between junctions but hesitated for long intervals before passing them. This is consistent with the prediction. However, the pressure of crystallization was localized in the most recently invaded pore, and this is believed to be an artifact related to the deformability of the PDMS. To give a true representation of the growth of salt in stone, the experiments must be performed in a rigid host.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPoromechanics V - Proceedings of the 5th Biot Conference on Poromechanics
Pages766-771
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event5th Biot Conference on Poromechanics, BIOT 2013 - Vienna, Austria
Duration: Jul 10 2013Jul 12 2013

Publication series

NamePoromechanics V - Proceedings of the 5th Biot Conference on Poromechanics

Other

Other5th Biot Conference on Poromechanics, BIOT 2013
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period7/10/137/12/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanics of Materials

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