Title: Relating Formation Factor of Concrete to Water Absorption

Author(s): Mehdi Khanzadeh Moradllo, Chunyu Qiao, Burkan Isgor, Steven Reese, and W. Jason Weiss

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 115

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 887-898

Keywords: absorption; durability; formation factor; neutron radiography; performance specification; resistivity

DOI: 10.14359/51706844

Date: 11/1/2018

Abstract:
The absorption of fluid in concrete is a key parameter that can be related to many durability-related deterioration mechanisms. The current water absorption testing procedure (ASTM C1585-13) is time-consuming due to both sample conditioning and the test duration. This study examines whether the formation factor can be used to estimate water absorption and thereby greatly reduce the time of testing. This paper describes the use of neutron radiography to examine water absorption in mortar mixtures with varying water-cement ratios (w/c) that have been preconditioned to two different moisture states (relative humidities). Theoretical derivations and experimental results indicate a linear relationship between initial sorptivity and the reciprocal of the square root of the formation factor. The experimental depth of water penetration was compared with a theoretical formulation and the results showed good agreement.