In situ concrete moisture measurement using gas permeability

Author(s): Franck Agostini, Frédéric Skoczylas, Ludovic Potier, Benoit Masson
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: 154 - 163
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: Water saturation of concrete is a key factor when dealing with the durability of structures. Indeed, moisture variation may induce effects capable of affecting the mechanical integrity of the structure, its durability or the confinement capability of a dedicated structure.
A new method has been developped for in situ measurement of moisture content of concrete structures. The “pulse” method is based on the relationship between gas effective permeability of a porous material and moisture content.
This article will focus on the advantages and limitations of this measurement technic. This discussion will be based on ongoing case study. The results of concrete characterization and its effect on moisture measurement accuracy will be discussed. Indeed, this sensor has been implemented in the French European Pressurized Reactor (5 sensors), in the VeRCoRs mockup (20 sensors) managed by Electricity of France and in the underground lab managed by ANDRA for the confinement of long life and high activity nuclear wastes (4 sensors) etc. Finally, using the dependency between gas tightness and moisture content, a solution to improve the tightness of nuclear power plant building has been proposed, based on controlled imbibition of the concrete structure. The “pulse” sensor has been proposed to monitor this treatment process.

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