Gas permeability and electrical resistivity of structural concretes: impact of pore saturation

Author(s): Qiang Gui, Minfeng Qin, Kefei Li
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings on International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering Conference segment on Moisture in Materials and Structures
Editor(s): Kurt Kielsgaard Hansen, Carsten Rode and Lars-Olof Nilsson
ISBN: 978-2-35158-178-0
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-179-7
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 44 - 53
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: The long-term durability of concrete structures is closely related to the physical properties including the gas permeability and electrical resistivity, and the pore saturation is a determinant factor on the gas permeability and electrical resistivity of structural concretes. This paper reports the recent experimental investigation on the gas permeability and electrical resistivity at different pore saturations for several representative structural concretes. Concrete specimens with different pore saturations were prepared through oven-drying and moisture equilibrium procedure. The gas permeability was measured through CemBureau method and the Klinkenberg effect was considered in the regression of apparent gas permeability; the electrical resistivity was measured through alternative current method with the minimum electrical current set as 40mA. From the results, it is found (1) a percolation threshold of pore saturation exits for gas permeability and electrical resistivity reflecting the pore gas/liquid depercolation; (2) the impact of pore saturation on the gas permeability and electrical resistivity can be well described through the Van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM) model, and rather consistent exponent coefficients are regressed for relative gas permeability and relative electrical conductivity.

Online publication : 2016
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00