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Active and non-active porosity in concrete Part I: Experimental evidence

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Abstract

The findings of an experimental study are described, documenting and quantifying the influence of concrete porosity on its mechanical properties in saturated and dry states. Concrete porosity consists of capillary and entrained air, and described respectively as active and non-active, depending on its influence on mechanical properties with changing moisture state. It was found that the active (capillary) porosity influence on mechanical properties is more pronounced with decreasing moisture. The influence of non-active (entrained-air) porosity on concrete mechanical properties is invariant of moisture state.

Résumé

Les principaux résultats d'une étude visant à quantifier l'influence de la porosité sur les propriétés mécaniques du béton (à l'état sec et saturé) sont présentés. La, porosité du béton consiste en des pores capillaires et des vides d'air entraîné, qui sont respectivement décrits comme actifs et non-actifs selon leur influence sur les propriétés mécaniques du béton testé à différents degrés de saturation. Les résultats des essais démontrent que l'influence des pores capillaires (actifs) est inversement proportionnelle au degré de saturation du béton. Les effets des vides d'air entraîné (non-actifs) apparaissent comme étant peu sensibles au degré de saturation du matériau.

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Editorial Note Dr. Nataliya Hearn is a RILEM Affiliate Member.

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Yaman, I.O., Hearn, N. & Aktan, H.M. Active and non-active porosity in concrete Part I: Experimental evidence. Mat. Struct. 35, 102–109 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482109

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