THE ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF CONCRETE

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE ARE OF IMPORTANCE IN SEVERAL APPLICATIONS; ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF CONCRETE CROSSTIES IS OF CURRENT INTEREST BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE OPERATION OF RAILROAD SIGNAL SYSTEMS. THIS INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES, INCLUDING BOTH DC AND AC STUDIES, SHOWED MOIST CONCRETE TO BE ESSENTIALLY AN ELECTROLYTE WITH A RESISTIVITY OF THE ORDER OF 10,000 OHM-CM, A VALUE IN THE RANGE OF SEMICONDUCTORS. OVEN-DRIED CONCRETE HAS A RESISTIVITY OF THE ORDER OF 100,000,000,000 OHM-CM, A REASONABLY GOOD INSULATOR. THE RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE CROSSTIES PROBABLY CANNOT BE INCREASED SUFFICIENTLY BY USE OF ADMIXTURES OR COATINGS ON THE TIES. HOWEVER, STUDIES OF METHODS OF INSULATING RAILS FROM CONCRETE CROSSTIES INDICATE THAT SATISFACTORY RAIL-TO-RAIL RESISTANCE MAY BE OBTAINED BY METHODS. /PCA/

  • Authors:
    • Monfore, G E
  • Publication Date: 0

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00213657
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Portland Cement Association
  • Report/Paper Numbers: No 224
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jun 1 1970 12:00AM