Development of Concrete Water Absorption Testing for Quality Control

Concrete durability can be evaluated by a number of properties - such as water absorption and chloride diffusion. Each of these properties can be measured using standardized methods. Water absorption can be linked to porosity and therefore to eventual deterioration. Tests based on absorption have the potential to be simple and rapid tests for placed concrete. However, it is impossible to provide standard conditions for in-situ measurements. Water absorption is strongly affected by environmental temperature and relative humidity (RH). These different conditions may cause incorrect evaluation of concrete performance. This study investigates the influence of environmental temperature and concrete moisture content on sorptivity measurement results. Experimental measurements of water absorption were carried out over a range of relative humidity and temperature levels. Not surprisingly, water absorption increases significantly with decreasing moisture content and increasing environmental temperature. Surface relative humidity was found as an accurate and practical indicator of concrete moisture content. Further outdoor exposure measurements found that with temperature correction, field results matched well to laboratory predictions making the test relevant for quality control purposes.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFN30 Durability of Concrete.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Mohammadi, Babak
  • Nokken, Michelle
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
• Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Chlorides; Concrete; Deterioration; Durability; Humidity; Moisture content; Quality control
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01514866
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 14-0219
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 21 2014 3:16PM