Title: Using X-ray transmission/attenuation to quantify fluid absorption in cracked concrete

Authors: Jason Weiss; Mette R. Geiker; Kurt K. Hansen

Addresses: Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA ' Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway ' Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 118, Kgs., Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark

Abstract: Cracks can alter the rate of fluid transport in concrete. Unfortunately, however, quantitative information is lacking to provide definitive statements regarding the extent to which cracks reduce durability or long-term performance. This paper describes a study that used X-ray transmission/attenuation to determine the influence of cracking on the absorption of fluid in concrete. Specifically, an experimental method is presented which uses a wedge splitting test to pre-crack specimens. These pre-cracked specimens were dried and ponded with water. At various times after the start of water ponding, X-ray attenuation measurements were taken using a grid of points around the crack. By repeating this measurement and comparing the change in X-ray transmission/attenuation, the ingress of the fluid could be determined by locating the position of the moisture front. An approach is presented to determine the geometry of the crack by using water absorption perimeter measurements of the wetting front in the concrete.

Keywords: fluid absorption; cracked concrete; cracks; fluid ingress; X-rays; concrete cracking; water absorption.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2015.071107

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2015 Vol.9 No.1/2/3, pp.3 - 20

Published online: 12 Aug 2015 *

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