Non-invasive permeability assessment of high-performance concrete bridge deck mixtures

This study investigates the in-place permeation properties of low permeability concrete bridge decks mixtures used in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Permeation properties were assessed in both the laboratory and in the field using 4-point Wenner array electrical resistivity, surface air flow (SAF), and chloride ion penetrability (ASTM C 1202-97).;Laboratory test specimens consisted of two concrete slabs having dimensions of 280 x 280 x 102-mm (11 x 11 x 4-in) and twelve 102 x 204-mm (4 x 8-in) cylinders per concrete mixture. Specimens were tested at 7, 28 and 91-days.;Slab specimen were tested on finished surface using the SAF at 28 and 91 days, and 4-point electrical resistivity measurements at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 91 days. Compressive strength (CS) tests were conducted at 7 and 28 days. Chloride ion penetrability tests were performed at 7, 28, and 91 days.;Statistical analyses were performed to assess the significance of the relationships for the following: Total charge passed and initial current (ASTM C 1202-97); 313 resistivity and 713 resistivity; Slab and cylinder resistivity; Slab resistivity and ASTM C-1202-97 (Total Charge and Initial current); and Surface Air Flow and ASTM C-1202-97.;Field cast specimens, test slabs and cylinders, were cast on-site during concrete bridge deck construction.;Results indicated no difference in chloride ion penetrability (Figures 7.4 and 7.5) and 28-day compressive strength (Figure 7.2) with regard to differing simulated field curing regimes, for same age testing. There was no significant difference at the 95% confidence level between 3B resistivity and 7B resistivity specimens tested at the same age (Figures 7.9 and 7.10).;A well defined relationship was observed between total charge passed and initial current (Figure 7-6). An inverse power function was found to describe the relationship between charge passed/initial current and electrical resistivity for all laboratory mixtures used in this study (Figure 7.17–7.22). Field data was used to validate laboratory established models for charge passed/initial current and electrical resistivity. Laboratory established models were able to predict 30 to 50% of the field data (Figures 7.31–7.34). Results indicate that the SAF lacked the sensitivity to classify the range of concretes used in this study (Figure 7.24). (Abstract shortened by UMI.).