Title:
Concrete Q&A: Vapor Is the Trojan Horse of Moisture in Concrete Slabs
Author(s):
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
44
Issue:
7
Appears on pages(s):
50-53
Keywords:
water, exposure, flooring, retarder
DOI:
10.14359/51735989
Date:
7/1/2022
Abstract:
This month’s Q&A features a discussion on moisture in concrete slabs-on-ground. It focuses on water migration; pH on slab surfaces; efflorescence; vapor retarders/barriers; slab curling; moisture in slabs; concrete exposure to water, sulfates, freezing and thawing, and chlorides; admixtures to stop vapor transmission; and concrete moisture and flooring installation.
Related References:
1. Powers, T.C.; Copeland, L.E.; and Mann, H.M., Capillary Continuity or Discontinuity in Cement Pastes, RX110, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL, 1959, pp. 38-48.
2. Kanare, H.M., Concrete Floors and Moisture, EB119, second edition, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL, and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, MD, 2008, 156 pp.
3. Wilson, M.L., and Tennis, P.D., Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, EB001, 17th edition, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL, 2021, 586 pp.
4. Tarr, S.M., and Vierra, R.A., “The Solution is Avoiding the Solution,” Hardwood Floors, June/July 2022, pp. 72-77.
5. Tarr, S.M., “Concrete Q&A: Concrete Slab Curling Over Vapor Retarders,” Concrete International, V. 38, No. 9, Sept. 2016, pp. 75-76.
6. ASTM E1745-17, “Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2017, 3 pp.
7. ACI Committee 302, “Guide to Concrete Floor and Slab Construction (ACI 302.1R-15),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2015, 76 pp.
8. ASTM F3010-18, “Standard Practice for Two-Component Resin Based Membrane-Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems for Use Under Resilient Floor Coverings,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2018, 4 pp.
9. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-19) and Commentary (ACI 318R-19),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2019, 624 pp.
10. ACI Committee 301, “Specifications for Concrete Construction (ACI 301-20),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2020, 69 pp.
11. Tarr, S.M., “Concrete Q&A: Design and Construction of Slabs-on-Ground,” Concrete International, V. 42, No. 11, Nov. 2020, pp. 87-88.
12. Klinger, J.; Lobo, C.L.; and Suprenant, B.A., “Vapor Barriers Used with Capillary Breaks Reduce the Severity of Sulfate Exposure of Concrete,” Concrete International, V. 43, No. 8, Aug. 2021, pp. 16-24.
13. Tarr, S.M., “Concrete Q&A: Moisture Vapor Protection for Slabs-on-Ground,” Concrete International, V. 43, No. 5, May 2021, pp. 63-64.
14. ASTM E96/E96M-22, “Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2022, 16 pp.
15. ASTM F2170-19a, “Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2020, 7 pp.
16. ASTM F1869-16a, “Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2017, 4 pp.