Comparison between traditional laboratory tests, permeability measurements and CT-based fluid flow modelling for cultural heritage applications

In this paper, we examine the possibility to use on-site permeability measurements for cultural heritage applications as an alternative for traditional laboratory tests such as determination of the capillary absorption coefficient. These on-site measurements, performed with a portable air permeameter, were correlated with the pore network properties of eight sandstones and one granular limestone that are discussed in this paper. The network properties of the 9 materials tested in this study were obtained from micro-computed tomography (μCT) and compared to measurements and calculations of permeability and the capillary absorption rate of the stones under investigation, in order to find the correlation between pore network characteristics and fluid management characteristics of these sandstones. Results show a good correlation between capillary absorption, permeability and network properties, opening the possibility of using on-site permeability measurements as a standard method in cultural heritage applications. [Display omitted] •Measurements of capillary absorption are compared to in-situ permeability.•We obtain pore size distribution and connectivity by using micro-CT.•These properties explain correlation between permeability and capillarity.•Correlation between both methods is good to excellent.•Permeability measurements could be a good alternative to capillarity measurement.