Title: Studies of Methods to Assess the Quality of the Surface Layer of Concrete

Author(s): Y. Tsukinaga, M. Shoya, and T. Sugawara

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 128

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 637-652

Keywords: Carbonation; concrete durability; field tests; permeability; porosity; quality control; tensile strength

DOI: 10.14359/10021

Date: 11/1/1991

Abstract:
Recently, the quality of the surface layer of concrete has been recognized as an important index to relate the durability of concrete structures. However, an appropriate assessing method has not yet been achieved. The assessment of the change in the quality of the surface layer should be made from the viewpoint of not only the mechanical property but also other physical and chemical properties, such as pore structure, carbonation and so on. Attaching importance to the simplicity of tests on site, the authors have proposed that the pull-off tensile strength by the pull-off method is applicable to the former and the recovering speed in the rapid air permeability test to the latter. This study describes the results of tests on the surface layer of concrete using specimens exposed in both inland and seashore locations in the cold district of Japan. Then, the capabilities of two specific tests are examined to assess the properties of the surface layer of concrete due to weathering and other environmental attacks.