Effect of chemical admixtures on concrete’s electrical resistivity
International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
ISSN: 2398-4708
Article publication date: 13 April 2018
Issue publication date: 4 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to verify the influence of superplasticizer and air entrainment admixtures (AEs) in the electrical resistivity of concrete.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten different types of concrete have been studied. Three levels of superplasticizer and air AEs have been used (0.20, 0.35 and 0.50 per cent). Concrete samples were cast and the electrical resistivity was monitored at the ages of 28, 63 and 91 days. Compressive strength and density tests have also been executed.
Findings
The superplasticizer admixture presented an optimal level of 0.35 per cent that significantly increased the electrical resistivity. The air AEs at the same dosage caused a considerable decrease in the electrical resistivity. The concrete with air AEs showed highest resistivity/MPa ratio.
Research limitations/implications
The results should be carefully extrapolated for other materials and admixtures.
Practical implications
The usage of chemicals admixture in concrete is extremely common nowadays. However, only a few authors have studied the impact of such materials on the concrete’s electrical resistivity. Since many other researchers have already correlated electrical resistivity with other concrete’s properties, such as strength, setting time and corrosion probability, it is important to better understand how superplasticizers and air-entraining agents, for instance, impact the resistivity.
Originality/value
The vast majority of studies only tested the resistivity of cement paste or mortar and usually for short period of time (up to 28 days), which seems not to be adequate since the cement reaction continues after that period. This paper fills this gap and studied the impact of admixture on concrete and for a period of 91 days.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Post-Graduation Program in Civil Construction (PPGECC) of the Federal University of Parana (UFPR) for their infrastructure support for this research development.
Citation
de Bem, D.H., Lima, D.P.B. and Medeiros-Junior, R.A. (2018), "Effect of chemical admixtures on concrete’s electrical resistivity", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 174-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-11-2017-0058
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited