The Permeability of Chloride Ions in Fly Ash-Cement Pastes, Mortars and Concrete

Abstract

ABSTRACTFly ash-cement pastes are known to develop fine pore structures that may retard the transport of ionic species. The rapid chloride permeability technique for studying the Cl− ion diffusion in hydrated fly ash/cement pastes, mortars and concrete was used. The technique applies an electrical potential across a cylindrical sample and measures the charge passed in a certain period of time. The results obtained on pastes and mortars cured for 28 days were reported previously and contrasted with those of neat cement pastes and mortars. The present paper reports more extensive studies made to examine the chloride permeabilities of pastes and mortars cured for up to 90 days. In addition, the effect of variable fly ash contents was examined. Concrete samples were included in the test scheme and the data were compared with pastes and mortars. Two important factors controlling the test results are discussed: first the mix design and curing conditions; second the experimental conditions during Cl− permeability measurements. In the second factor, the amount and rate of heat build up and the chloride ion concentrations are compared with the current passed. In addition, measuring current versus resistivity are critically discussed in terms of the voltage-current varistic characteristics of cement matrices.