A microdestructive method using dye-coated-probe to visualize capillary, diffusion and evaporation zones in porous...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Material Science

Background:

• The vaporization plane is crucial for understanding water movement and salt crystallization in porous materials.
• Current field techniques struggle to measure vaporization plane depth accurately, limiting moisture analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, user-friendly micro-destructive method for determining vaporization plane depth in situ.
• To enable more reliable interpretation of moisture and suction data in various scientific disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Development and testing of a micro-destructive instrument using a rod, adhesive, and moisture-reactive dye powder.
• Insertion of the instrument into 2 mm diameter holes in porous rocks and building materials.
• Optimization of rod, adhesive, and dye combinations through over 500 experiments.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of the uranine-probe method for measuring vaporization plane depth.
• Demonstration of the method's applicability in diverse porous rocks and building materials.
• Validation of the method's effectiveness in over 500 experimental trials.

Conclusions:

• The uranine-probe method provides a reliable and accessible means to determine vaporization plane depth.
• This technique significantly enhances the interpretation of moisture-related measurements in fields like hydrology and weathering.
• The method is valuable for evaporation studies, unsaturated hydrology, weathering research, and geobiology.