Developments in performance-based testing of concrete

William John McCarter, Gerard Starrs, Andrew Adamson, T Malcolm Chrisp, P. A. M. Basheer, Sreejith V Nanukuttan, S Srinivasan, C. Green

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    Implementation of both design for durability and performance-based standards and specifications are limited by the lack of rapid, simple, science-based test methods for characterizing the transport properties and deterioration resistance of concrete. To this end, this paper presents the background rationale and current developments in the application of electrical property measurements – conductivity in this instance - as a testing methodology to evaluate the relative performance of a range of concrete mixes. The technique can not only be used on standard specimens (e.g. cubes), but also lends itself to in-situ monitoring thereby allowing measurements to be obtained on the as-placed concrete. It is the latter which forms the focus of the current work. Conductivity measurements are presented for concretes with and without supplementary cementitious materials (SCM's) from demoulding up to 400-days. It is shown that electrical conductivity measurements display a continual decrease over the entire test period and attributed to the pore structure refinement due to hydration and pozzolanic reaction in those concretes containing blast furnace slag or fly ash. The term Formation Factor is introduced to rank concrete performance in terms of is resistance to chloride
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Durability of Concrete Structures
    EditorsBryan J. Magee
    Place of PublicationBelfast
    PagesKN5/1-KN5/11
    Number of pages11
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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