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Electrical conductivity to determine maturity and activation energy in concretes

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Abstract

The concepts of maturity and activation energy have been primarily used for prediction of compressive strength. Less frequently, these principles have been used for investigation of the temperature–time relationship of other properties. In this research, electrical conductivity was monitored over time for the period of 1–28 days for 10 concrete mixtures. It was found that the typical relationship that holds for compressive strength in relation to the maturity does not hold for conductivity. In addition, activation energy was determined by the Arrhenius relationship using four methods of calculating the rate constant. Values calculated for activation energy varied considerably depending on the method used with the exponential rate constant giving the lowest values. Comparing results to published literature, the linear hyperbolic method most often cited gives similar values of activation energy in this research to those published for either hydration or strength.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful for funding obtained through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The assistance of undergraduate student Mr. Stephen Chun for the experimental work and to Dr. Attila Zsaki for the development of the automated measurements are appreciated.

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  1. Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G1M8, Canada

    Michelle R. Nokken

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Nokken, M.R. Electrical conductivity to determine maturity and activation energy in concretes. Mater Struct 49, 2209–2221 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0644-0

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