FALLACIES IN THE CURRENT PERCENT OF TOTAL ABSORPTION METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND LIMITING THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF CONCRETE BLOCK

CONCRETE BLOCK SHOULD BE IN AN AIR-DRY CONDITION CORRESPONDING TO THE AVERAGE ANNUAL RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF THE OUTSIDE AIR FOR THAT LOCALITY. THIS PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO ALL TYPES OF CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS REGARDLESS OF TYPE OF AGGREGATE OR METHOD OF CURING USED. THE TEST FOR MOISTURE CONTENT DESCRIBED IN ASTM C 140-56 IS INADEQUATE SINCE IT FAILS TO GIVE A SIGNIFICANT AND REALISTIC INDICATION OF THE MOISTURE CONDITION OF THE CONCRETE. THIS PAPER PRESENTS DATA SHOWING THAT THE MOISTURE HELD BY AIR-DRY CONCRETE AT EQUILIBRIUM WITH A GIVEN RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS INFLUENCED BY MANY FACTORS AND IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO THE TOTAL ABSORBED WATER IN A SATURATED BLOCK. /PCA/

• Authors:
  • Menzel, C A
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Portland Cement Assoc R & D Lab Bull
  • Issue Number: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Concrete blocks; Humidity; Moisture content
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00213530
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Portland Cement Association
• Report/Paper Numbers: No 84
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 25 1970 12:00AM