Liquid water might not be the only answer: Evaluating pore-filling materials in the Martian crust

The porosity of concrete is a measure of the void spaces within its structure. These spaces impact its strength and durability significantly. When water and cement interact, a chemical reaction called hydration creates a semi-solid paste. This paste includes combined water, making up approximately 23% of the cement's dry mass, and gel water, which fills minuscule voids known as gel pores, accounting for about 28% of the cement gel volume.
The balance of water to cement in the mix is...

In concrete, the pore size distribution significantly influences the material's properties. Capillary pores, markedly larger than gel pores, form a vast network within partially hydrated cement paste, reducing the concrete's strength and increasing its permeability. This heightened permeability leads to a greater risk of damage from environmental factors like freeze-thaw cycles and chemical attacks, with the extent of vulnerability also being tied to the water-to-cement ratio.
Adequate...

Aggregates contain pores of varying sizes; while some are completely enclosed within the particles, others open onto the surface, allowing water to penetrate. The porosity of aggregates is a major factor contributing to the overall porosity of concrete, given that aggregates constitute about three-quarters of concrete's volume.
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the...

Mortar properties encompass a range of characteristics crucial for construction and masonry work, including workability, water retention, bond strength, durability, compressive strength, volume change, and appearance. Workability refers to mortar's ability to be easily applied and manipulated without sagging or falling off surfaces, which is important for efficient masonry unit placement and alignment. Water retention is essential to prevent the mortar from losing moisture too quickly to...

Unsoundness in aggregates due to volume changes is primarily caused by the physical alterations aggregates undergo, such as freezing and thawing, thermal changes, and wetting and drying. Unsound aggregates, when subjected to these changes, result in volume change upon disintegration. This, in turn, contributes to the deterioration of concrete, including scaling, pop-outs, and cracking. Particular types of aggregates, such as porous flints, cherts, and those containing clay minerals, are...

Mortar, a mixture of Portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water, is a crucial binding material in construction. Its primary function is to join masonry units together, filling gaps and ensuring a uniform distribution of weight across the structure. This helps in preventing potential weaknesses. Mortar also serves as a protective barrier against environmental elements such as water and wind, thereby safeguarding the interior of the structure. It also compensates for surface irregularities...