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PGAA measurement of chloride diffusion profiles in concrete cylinders

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Abstract

Chloride diffusion is a critical precursor to corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete structures. The current standard method for estimating chloride diffusion coefficients involves destructive chemical analysis. This work investigates the feasibility of Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) for in-situ determination of chloride distribution in an intact concrete cylinder which has a chloride diffusion depth profile. The profile thus obtained is in good agreement with the result of the chemical analysis of the profile in a duplicate cylinder. This is a first such direct comparison to our knowledge. A diffusion coefficient can be extracted from the profiles for further evaluation.

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Data availability

All processed data have been presented in the Supplemental Information section. Raw prompt gamma ray spectra are available upon request.

Notes

  1. Trade names and commercial products are identified in this paper to specify the experimental procedures in adequate detail. This identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the authors or by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the products identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

  2. In the classic Fick’s theory the diffusion coefficient is a constant. However, over long Da versus loading time decreases approximately with the square root of time. This phenomenon of exposure dependent diffusion has been observed in samples taken from actual concrete structures. This indicates that other factors affect the transport of Cl in concrete including reaction with aluminum to form Friedel’s salt.

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Acknowledgements

NB and RL acknowledge the grant support from the 2018 National Institute of Standards and Technology Small Business Innovation Research Phase I (70NANB19H049). This paper was presented at the International Conference on Nuclear Analytical Techniques in 2022 (NAT2022).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    H. Heather Chen-Mayer

  2. Tourney Consulting Group, 3401 Midlink Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49048, USA

    Neal S. Berke

  3. University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Richard A. Livingston

Authors
  1. H. Heather Chen-Mayer
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  2. Neal S. Berke
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  3. Richard A. Livingston
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Correspondence to H. Heather Chen-Mayer.

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Chen-Mayer, H.H., Berke, N.S. & Livingston, R.A. PGAA measurement of chloride diffusion profiles in concrete cylinders. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 5239–5245 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09023-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09023-y

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