Concrete Mixture Design Based on Electrical Resistivity.

Abstract

Current codes have requirements for the durability design of concrete based on compressive strength and provisions related to cement content and water - cement ratio. However, such requirements do not take into account important parameters related to the behaviour of concrete against to aggressive attack. The electrical resistivity of the hardened concrete is related to connectivity of pores network under saturated condition.. This paper proposes a methodology of design based on the Archie law, which is originated from the concept of diffusion and provides properties such as electrical resistivity, porosity, and tortuosity, for estimating the ideal mix of concrete (maximum water cement, the minimum content of cement and cement type) for a specific environmental class and service life. It also considers the chemical reaction of chloride and carbonation with the phases of cement, so called factor of reaction (r) which depends on the type of cement and indicates the delay on the agressi vc penetration