Service Life Prediction for Concrete Pavements and Bridge Decks Exposed to

Sulfate Attack and Freeze-!a" Deterioration# $olume %%& ec!nical Basis for
C'(CL%FE& Sorptivit) esting and Computer *odels
Dale P+ Bentz
C!iara F+ Ferraris
,o!n -inpigler
Building and Fire .esearc! La/orator)
(ational %nstitute of Standards and ec!nolog)
0ait!ers/urg# *D 12344
ABS.AC
This report provides the technical background for the CONCLIFE software package developed at
the National Institute of Standards and Technology CONCLIFE esti!ates the service life of
concrete pave!ents and bridge decks e"posed to sulfate attack and free#e$thaw deterioration%
where the !a&or transport !echanis! for water and sulfate ion ingress is sorption by partially
saturated concrete This report supple!ents the CONCLIFE 'ser(s )uide by providing details
on the laboratory testing to evaluate the sorptivity of concrete cylindrical cores obtained fro!
field speci!ens and the three underlying co!puter !odels used by CONCLIFE in obtaining
service life esti!ates This report is volu!e II of a two*part series +olu!e I is the user(s
!anual for the developed CONCLIFE software package
,eywords- building technology% concrete bridge decks% concrete pave!ents% environ!ental
conditions% free#e*thaw deterioration% service life% sorptivity% sulfate attack
i
ABLE 'F C'(E(S
Section Page
C./0TE1 2- INT1O3'CTION2
C./0TE1 4- SO10TI+IT5 TESTIN)6
1+5 *aterials++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++6
1+1 *et!odolog) Development++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++3
2.2.1 Conditioning of the Specimens........................................................................................8
2.2.2 Sorptivity Test................................................................................................................10
2.2.3 Results............................................................................................................................14
2.2.4 Standardiation !fforts..................................................................................................1"
C./0TE1 6- CO70'TE1 7O3ELS28
6+5 Concrete Surface emperature and ime of -etness 78eat ransfer *odel9+++++++++++++5:
6+1 Sulfate Attack++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++15
6+6 Freeze;t!a" Damage++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++11
C./0TE1 9- S'77/154:
/C,NO;LE3)E7ENTS4<
1EFE1ENCES48
/00EN3I= /- /ST7 C==== 0roposed Test 7ethod for 7easure!ent of 1ate
of /bsorption of ;ater by .ydraulic*Ce!ent 7ortars or Concretes4>
5+ Scope+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++14
1+ .eferenced Documents++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++14
6+ Significance and <se++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++14
=+ Apparatus+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++62
>+ .eagents and *aterials+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++65
?+ est Specimens+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++61
:+ Sample Conditioning+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++61
3+ Procedure++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++66
4+ Calculations++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++6?
52+ .eport++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++6:
55+ Precision and Bias+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++63
APPE(D%@ 5&Example .ate of A/sorption est+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++64
ii
L%S 'F F%0<.ES
Figure Page
#igure 1$ Relative %umidity achieved after the various pre&conditionings. The main difference is
the duration spent in the environmental cham'er at "0 C and 80( R%. T1$ no time) T2$
24h) T3$ 48 h) T4$ 3 d) T"$ *d) T+$ until constant mass) T*$ until constant mass at 20 C and
80( R%. The right scale is not identical to the left scale for 'etter visualiation of the
average curve.?
#igure 2$ R% of the air inside the conditioning ,ars versus time.>
#igure 3$ Comparison of sorption measured 'y capillary and 'y ponding. -. The /ater content
per surface area versus linear time as measured) 0. the /ater content per surface area vs.
s1uare root of time for the first * hours.2@
#igure 4$ Schematic of the capillary sorption test.22
#igure "$ Schematic of the ponding sorption test.22
#igure +$ 2ictures of o'served lea3s /ith the incorrect tape. -. the /ater is lea3ing 'et/een the
t/o layer of tape) 0. the /ater has lea3ed in 'et/een the tape and the specimen sides and is
/etting the 'ottom 4non tested surface..24
#igure *$ Calculation of the sorption coefficient.26
#igure 8. 0asic configuratins of one&dimensional heat transfer models for concrete pavements
and 'ridge dec3s.2<
#igure 5. Temperature predictions for a concrete pavement in 2rovidence6 Rhode 7sland in the
spring. Time indicates cumulative hours from 'eginning of year.2?
#igure 10. 2lots of /etting events in 4top. 8ansas City6 9: and 4'ottom. 2rovidence6 R76 'oth
for concrete pavements.2>
#igure 11. Schematic of 2rocedure -.6@
#igure 12. Schematic of 2rocedure 0.64
L%S 'F ABLES
a/le Page
Ta'le 1$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the <irginia =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.9
Ta'le 2$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the 9aryland =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.:
Ta'le 3$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the 9issouri =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.<
Ta'le 4$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the Rhode 7sland =:T. -ll
the data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.8
Ta'le "$ 9odulus of elasticity for the concretes.8
Ta'le +$ Sorptivity properties for the concretes. :nly one specimen /as availa'le from each
type6 therefore no error analysis is possi'le.29
Ta'le *. ?eneric mterial properties for the heat transfer model.2?
iii
C8APE. 5& %(.'D<C%'(
CONCLIFE is a ;indows
2
*based software package for esti!ating the e"pected service
lives of concrete pave!ents and bridge decks% considering transport due to sorption and
degradation due to either sulfate attack or free#e$thaw da!age ;hile a separate user(s guide for
the CONCLIFE software has recently been published%
A2B
the purpose of this supple!ental
docu!ent is to describe the underlying technical basis for the CONCLIFE software / standard
test !ethod for evaluating the sorptivity coefficients of a concrete is a pre*reCuisite to any
sorptivity*based predictions of service life Thus% the ne"t chapter of this report deals with the
technical basis for the develop!ent of a standard concrete sorptivity test
A4B
The third chapter
provides a description of the various co!puter !odels e!ployed in CONCLIFE% both those used
to esti!ate concrete surface te!perature and ti!e*of*wetness% and those used to esti!ate
degradation due to either sulfate attack or free#e$thaw deterioration
2
Certain co!!ercial products are identified to co!pletely specify the research progra! In no case does such
identification i!ply endorse!ent by NIST or F.;/% or that the identified products are the best available for the
purpose
4
C8APE. 1& S'.P%$%A ES%(0
To develop a test to !easure the rate of ingress of water in concrete speci!en% there are
two approaches- 2B in*situ testing% ie% the concrete is tested in place in the fieldD 4B laboratory
testing% ie% concrete cores are taken and brought to a laboratory for testing Eoth approaches
have their advantages and disadvantages In the in*situ approach% the concrete cannot be easily
conditioned and it is thus not possible to know the water content of the concrete% which has a
large effect on !easured transport properties
A6B
In the laboratory approach% the concrete !ight
not be e"actly the Fsa!eG as the in*situ concrete% ie% curing% hydration degree% etc% if% for
e"a!ple% substantial ti!e elapses between obtaining the cores and testing the! Nevertheless%
the goal of the test is to deter!ine the properties of the in*situ concrete
The approach selected here is laboratory testing because we felt that a higher reliability
could be achieved The data will give a good esti!ate of the !aterial properties that can then be
used to !odel the perfor!ance of the in*situ concrete as a function of the environ!ent
1+5 *aterials
To develop the sorptivity test% cores fro! either the actual construction or fro! in*situ specially
cast speci!ens% or cast cylinders were used The speci!ens were provided to us by the
following state depart!ents of transportation A3OTsB- +irginia% 7aryland% 7issouri% and 1hode
Island The sets received fro! +irginia and 7aryland were used to develop the conditioning
!ethodology The other two sets were used for finali#ing the sorptivity test !ethodology using
the ponding option
The following tables Atable 2 to table 9B give the !i" designs of the various speci!ens
received The speci!ens received fro! 7aryland and fro! +irginia were cast cylinders fro!
the sa!e concrete as the !ain structure at the construction site
The speci!ens received fro! the 1hode Island 3OT were cores fro! s!all slabs A<2@ !! "
<2@ !! " >29 !! deep or 4 ft " 4 ft by 6 ftB The slabs were prepared by pu!ping the concrete
into the !olds The slabs were then field cured and the cores were obtained after 4? d of curing
The cores were 6<? !! A29: inB in length and 2@@ !! A9 inB in dia!eter The speci!ens
received fro! the 7issouri 3OT were cores fro! actual pave!ent slabs% not fro! separately cast
speci!ens These were taken fro! 1oute <: in Eenton County and fro! 1oute 26 in .enry
County The cores were fro! both the driving lanes A3LB and the passing lanes A0LB and were
all fro! the northbound direction of the road
6
Ta'le 1$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the <irginia =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.
*%@ B5
7F8-A-:1 A;C9
*ix B1
7F8-A-:1 D;F9
3ate 8$8$>> <$6@$>>
*ixture Proportions
Ce!ent kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 469 A6>:B 4:2 A946B
Slag kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 2@@ A2<>B
Fly /sh kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B ?9 A292B
0o##olan A!ass HB 6@ 4:
Coarse aggregates ANo :8B kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B
2@>4 A2?9@B 2@>4 A2?9@B
Fine /ggregates kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 844 A2428B 84> A244>B
;ater kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 29? A4:@B 29? A4:@B
;$c! @99 @99
/d!i"tures /E/ /E/
Concrete Properties
Slu!p !! AinB <6: A4:B 6?2 A2:B
/ir content AHB :@ 94
Concrete te!perature C AFB 6@: A?8B 4? A?4B
Co!pressive strength 70a ApsiB at 4?
days on cylinders 2:4 !! " :@? !!
A< in " 4@ inB
6<: A:6@@B 66> A9>4@B
Fle"ural strength 70a ApsiB at 4? d on
pris!s 2:4 !! " 2:4 !! " :@? !!
A< in " < in " 4@ inB
:9 A8?:B
1apid Chloride 0er!eability at 4? d
A/ST7 C24@4B
2:?9 8@@
Curing 7oist cured at 46 C for 8 d followed
by !oist curing at 6?C for 42 d and
testing at 4? d
,ept in plastic !olds with the sa!e
curing as 2B
S!ipped and furt!er curing
Shipped in plastic bags or in their original
!oldsD received by NIST on ?$28$>>D
/t NIST% the speci!ens were stored
in li!ewater until testing% if received in bagsD
in their !olds in a !oist cabinet until testing%
if received in !olds
9
Ta'le 2$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the 9aryland =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.
*%@ B5
7F8-A-?39
3ate 6$4$>>
*ixture Proportions
Ce!ent kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 4<4 A994B
Newce! kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 292 A46?B
0o##olan A!ass HB 6:
Coarse aggregates ANo :8B kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B
2@?@ A2?4@B
Fine /ggregates kg$!
6
Alb$ft
6
B <?? A22<@B
;ater kg$!
6
Alb$ft
6
B 2:? A4<8B
;$c! @6>
/d!i"tures /E/ and .1;1/
Concrete Properties
Slu!p !! AinB :@*248 A4*:B
/ir content AHB <:
Concrete te!perature C AFB Not !easured
3esigned Co!pressive strength 70a
ApsiB at 4? days
62 A9:@@B
1apid Chloride 0er!eability at 4? d
A/ST7 C24@4B
Not !easured
Curing 7oist cured at 46 C until pick up date
S!ipped and furt!er curing 0icked up on 8$42$>>D transported in plastic
bags with wet burlapsD
/t NIST% the speci!ens were stored in
li!ewater until testing
:
Ta'le 3$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the 9issouri =:T. -ll the
data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.
.oute ?>
7F8-A-5>1;5>=9
.oute 56
7F8-A-5>69
3ate cast @<$4>$@@ @<$4>$@@
3ate Core taken @8$4<$@@ @8$4:$@@
*ixture Proportions
Ce!ent kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 4>@ A9??B 4:2 A946B
Fly /sh kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B :2 A?<B
0o##olan A!ass HB 2: @
Coarse aggregates ALi!estoneB kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B
2@<> A2?@2B >>4 A2<84B
Fine /ggregates kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B :?< A>??B 84> A2@6?B
;ater kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 246 A4@8B ?? A29?B
;$c! @6< @6:
/d!i"tures /E/ A86 L$!
6
B
Concrete Properties
Slu!p !! AinB 6@: A24B A99:B 28:
/ir content AHB :@ 94
Concrete te!perature C AFB 48 A?@B 4? A?4B
Curing In situ
S!ipped and furt!er curing Shipped in plastic bagsD received by
NIST on ?$4$@@D /t NIST% the
speci!ens were stored in li!ewater
until testing
<
Ta'le 4$ 9i; design and concrete properties for the specimens from the Rhode 7sland =:T. -ll
the data /ere provided 'y the =:T and /ere not remeasured at >7ST.
*%@ B5
7F8-A-5>29
3ate cast <$29$@@
*ixture Proportions
Ce!ent kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B 928 A8@6B
Coarse aggregates A6$9G and pea
stonesB
kg$!
6
Alb$yd
6
B
2@:9 A288<B
Fine /ggregates kg$!
6
Alb$ft
6
B <?2 A229?B
;ater kg$!
6
Alb$ft
6
B 2<6 A48:B
;$c! @6>
/d!i"tures 3CI A2: L$!
6
B
Concrete Properties& none availa/le
Curing 'nknown
S!ipped and furt!er curing 1eceived on 8$62$@@
/t NIST% the speci!ens
were stored in li!ewater
until testingD
For the speci!ens fro! 7issouri and 1hode Island% the elastic !oduli were !easured
based on the resonance freCuency !ethod as described in /ST7 C 42:
A9B
The !ode used was
longitudinal% ie% the accelero!eter was on the sa!e a"is as the driver The values obtained%
along with their !easured standard deviations% are given in table : It is interesting to notice that
the driving lane has syste!atically higher values than the passing lane ;e have no e"planation
for this pheno!enon 7ore infor!ation on the casting pattern% the curing or any other
differences in the treat!ent or the !aterials used needs to be available in order to atte!pt to
e"plain the difference
Ta'le "$ 9odulus of elasticity for the concretes.
.!ode
%sland
*issouri .t+?> *issouri .t+ 56
3riving lane 0assing Lane 3riving Lane 0assing lane
99 2 )0a 9< @6 )0a 94 @4 )0a 9? @6 )0a 96 @4 )0a
8
1+1 *et!odolog) Development
2.2.1 Conditioning of the Specimens
To develop a laboratory test to !easure sorptivity% two !ain hurdles needed to be overco!e-
2B the conditioning of the speci!enD and 4B the test itself
/s the sorptivity depends strongly on the water saturation of the concrete% the conditioning of
the speci!en is para!ount Therefore% the reCuire!ents for a good conditioning procedure for
the speci!ens should include-
ECuilibriu! with the sa!e relative hu!idity should be achieved with any concreteD
The relative hu!idity A1.B in eCuilibriu! with the speci!en should be around <@ percent%
because it is a likely li!it on the lowest relative hu!idity encountered in the fieldD
The duration of the conditioning should be as short as possibleD
The !ethodology should not reCuire sophisticated instru!entation This will allow the
i!ple!entation of the test by !ost laboratories
Therefore% the !ore severe conditioning consisting of drying the speci!en to constant !ass
in an oven was re&ected a priori On the average% a concrete speci!en 2@@ !! in dia!eter and
:@ !! in length will need so!e 4*6 !onths to be co!pletely oven dried This duration is not
acceptable The !ethodology adopted to deter!ine the opti!u! conditioning was-

+acuu! saturate the speci!en as described in /ST7 C24@4D

A:B

0lace the speci!ens in an environ!ental cha!ber at ?@ percent 1. and :@ C The duration

of this treat!ent should be the shortest possible to obtain the sa!e eCuilibriu! 1. with all
concretes

0lace the speci!en in a closed container at 4@ C until the speci!en has the sa!e 1.
throughout its thickness The 1. of the air in the container was !onitored to deter!ine the
eCuilibriu!
Therefore% the first point to deter!ine was the duration of the treat!ent in the environ!ental
cha!ber to obtain a consistent 1. for all speci!ens The procedure to deter!ine the duration
was to e"pose concrete speci!ens obtained fro! the 3OTs to various durations of e"posure and
!easure the 1. after two weeks The goal was to obtain a si!ilar 1. for all speci!ens The
durations selected were-
T2- No ti!e in the environ!ental cha!ber The speci!ens were directly placed in closed
containers after being vacuu! saturated
T4- 49 h
T6- 9? h
T9- three d
T:- seven d
T<- the speci!ens were kept in the environ!ental cha!ber until they achieved constant
!ass The duration was on the order of three to four !onths depending on the speci!en
?
T8- the speci!en was kept in the environ!ental cha!ber until it achieved constant !ass but
the te!perature of the cha!ber was changed to 4@ C
Figure 2 shows the results obtained Each result represented on the bar chart is the average
of two speci!ens The bars show the influence of the !i"ture design on the final 1. achieved%
while the line plot shows the average for all speci!ens in any !i"ture design for a given
conditioning The goal is to obtain the conditioning that results in the s!allest variation between
the speci!ens It is clear that the conditioning fro! T6 and higher are acceptable% with the
une"plained e"ception of T9 Therefore% we suggest that the speci!ens should be kept in the
environ!ental cha!ber for at least 9? h prior to place!ent in the container to eCuilibrate the 1.
Of course the s!allest variation between speci!ens is obtained when constant !ass is achieved
Aconditions T< and T8B% but the duration of the conditioning is not acceptable for a standard test
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7
Type of Conditioning
R
H

a
c
h
i
e
v
e
d

[
%
]
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
R
H

a
c
h
i
e
v
e
d

f
o
r

a
v
e
r
a
g
e

[
%
]
72-A/B
72-C
72-D/E
72-F
68
Overall average
#igure 1$ Relative %umidity achieved after the various pre&conditionings. The main difference is
the duration spent in the environmental cham'er at "0 C and 80( R%. T1$ no time) T2$ 24h)
T3$ 48 h) T4$ 3 d) T"$ *d) T+$ until constant mass) T*$ until constant mass at 20 C and 80( R%.
The right scale is not identical to the left scale for 'etter visualiation of the average curve.
The second step that needs to be addressed is the duration of the conditioning of the
speci!en in a closed container to obtain a unifor! 1. throughout the speci!en To deter!ine
the shortest duration needed% speci!ens were placed in special containers These containers
were wide !outh &ars with a !etal lid The !outh of the &ars was wide enough to acco!!odate
the place!ent of the speci!en inside the &ar Two valves were attached to the lid These valves
open only when a !ale connection is attached to the! / dew point hygro!eter was used to
!easure the 1. inside the &ars It was connected regularly to each &ar through the one way
valves in the lids of the &ars The 1. was !onitored once a day for at least two weeks Figure 4
shows the evolution of the 1. versus ti!e It can be deduced that after about 2@ days the 1.
does not changes significantly Therefore% the duration adopted was 2: days to guarantee a
unifor! 1. throughout the speci!en
>
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 10 20 30
Time [days]
R
H


[
%
]
#igure 2$ R% of the air inside the conditioning ,ars versus time.
2.2.2 Sorptivity Test
;ater ingress into a non*saturated concrete structure is due to sorption% driven by
capillary forces
A6B
If the water is on top of the concrete surface% gravity also will play a role in
the water penetration Figure 6 shows the different results obtained with the two !ethods-
capillary Aagainst gravityB or ponding Awith gravityB It is clear that the speci!ens have a higher
water intake by ponding than by capillary transport alone Therefore% it is necessary to use the
!ethod !ore appropriate for the application of the concrete structure to be evaluated The
deter!ined sorptivity coefficients are @9>2@
*6
!$Is for the capillary sorption and @:>2@
*6
!$Is
for the ponding sorption for the data presented in figure 6
To !easure the sorption coefficient of concrete% a new test proposed by NIST to /ST7 for
standardi#ation was used
A4B
The !ethod is si!ilar to that recently published as a 1ILE7
reco!!endation
A<B
The principle of the !ethod is that a concrete speci!en has one surface in
contact with water while all others are sealed
2@
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0 1 2 3 4 5
Time [days]
M
a
s
s
/
s
u
r
f
a
c
e
[
m
]
Capillary
Ponding
A
0.00
0.04
0.08
0.12
0.16
0.20
0 50 100 150
Time [s
/!
]
M
a
s
s
/
s
u
r
f
a
c
e
[
m
]
Capillary
ponding
B
#igure 3$ Comparison of sorption measured 'y capillary and 'y ponding. -. The /ater content
per surface area versus linear time as measured) 0. the /ater content per surface area vs.
s1uare root of time for the first * hours.
The proposed standard test allows either the top surface to be in contact Asi!ulation of
water on a pave!ent or bridge deckB or the botto! surface Asubstrate in contact with waterB The
first case is referred to as ponding sorption and the second as capillary sorption
The concrete speci!ens were :@ !! A4 inB thick disks sliced fro! the received
speci!ens The sides were covered with duct tape prior to the pre*conditioning% in order to treat
all speci!ens eCually prior to the initial vacuu! saturation procedure used in this study Ey
contrast% in the draft /ST7 standard provided in the /ppendi"% the speci!ens are sealed AtapedB
after the pre*conditioning and &ust prior to actual testing This should so!ewhat reduce the ti!e
necessary to reach !oisture eCuilibriu! within the speci!en
In both cases% the surface not tested was covered with a plastic wrap secured with a
rubber band or an eCuivalent syste! In the case of capillary sorption AFigure 9B the speci!ens
were then ready for testing For ponding sorption% so!e duct tape was used to for! a pool AdikeB
22
as shown in Figure : / two*co!ponent epo"y caulk was used to seal the space between the tape
and the concrete
The !ass of the speci!en was then regularly !easured after the tested surface was patted
dry Of course% in the case of ponding% the water inside the dike needed to be poured out before
patting dry the surface
#igure 4$ Schematic of the capillary sorption test.
#igure "$ Schematic of the ponding sorption test.
It should be !entioned that the tape used in these tests needs to be evaluated to avoid
leaks These leaks will be deleterious to obtaining correct results% especially in the ponding
configuration Figure < shows the possible cases of leakage that can alter the validity of the
results- the water leaks between the two sides of the tape or between the tape and the speci!en
and wets the non*testing surface In both cases% the results will show a higher sorption
coefficient than the correct value
To select the correct tape and caulk% one can use any concrete cylinder as a Fdu!!yG
speci!en The steps to follow are-
3ry the speci!en so!ewhat by placing it in an oven overnight%
0repare the speci!en for the ponding tests as described above and use the tape to be tested
0our water in the dike and leave the speci!en overnight
24
In general% if the tape is not adeCuate% the leaks will appear in less than 49 h It would have been
!ore scientific to develop a clear criteria for deter!ining the FstickinessG of the tape% but it was
beyond the scope of this pro&ect So!e valuable infor!ation on selecting an appropriate tape can
be found in a guide to tapes for use in backpacking
A8B
A
B
#igure +$ 2ictures of o'served lea3s /ith the incorrect tape. -. the /ater is lea3ing 'et/een the
t/o layer of tape) 0. the /ater has lea3ed in 'et/een the tape and the specimen sides and is
/etting the 'ottom 4non tested surface..
To deter!ine the sorption coefficient% the !ass gain divided by the surface area of the top
surface is plotted versus the e"posure ti!e The sorption coefficients are defined as shown in the
following eCuation-
@
7 t S
-
@
+ =

A2B
where
; J !ass gain AkgB
/J surface are tested K!
4
L
t J ti!e variable K!inL
S J early age sorption coefficient K!!$!in
2$4
L if 2 !in M t M 8 h
later age sorption coefficient K!!$!in
2$4
L if t N 2 d
I@ J initial sorption A!!B
O J density of water Akg$!
6
B
Figure 8 shows these two slopes or sorption coefficients Two slopes have been observed for the
results obtained fro! a wide variety of concretes and !ortars
A?B
The later age sorption
26
coefficient is usually attributed to other pheno!ena besides the capillary forces alone% such as
filling of the larger pores and air voids The nick*point ti!e is defined as the ti!e where the
lines with the two slopes cross as shown in figure 8
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s
/!
]
M
a
s
s
/
s
u
r
f
a
c
e

[

"
#
$
m
]
Early age
Later age
Nick point ti!e
#igure *$ Calculation of the sorption coefficient.
2.2.3 Results
7any tests were conducted to develop the test using !any of the speci!ens described
above .ere% we have selected to only present the data obtained in ponding sorption for the
concretes fro! 1hode Island and fro! 7issouri% as these tests were perfor!ed after the
!ethodology was well established
Typical !easured sorptivity values for the three concretes Afollowing the seven d
environ!ental cha!ber conditioning regi!eB are provided in Table < The concrete fro! 1hode
Island is seen to e"hibit a rapid initial sorption relative to the two concretes fro! 7issouri Aas
seen in the values of I@B /fter this initial absorption% the values of SAearly ageB for the three
concretes are seen to be very si!ilar Aa coefficient of variation between the three sa!ples of
only 26 percentB The values of SAlater ageB e"hibit a !uch higher variability between the three
concretes Acoefficient of variation of <@ percentB
Ta'le +$ Sorptivity properties for the concretes. :nly one specimen /as availa'le from each
type6 therefore no error analysis is possi'le.
Sorption 0roperty 1hode Island 7issouri 1te <: 3riving
Lane
7issouri 1te 26 3riving
Lane
I@ Aearly ageB A!!B :9< @@8: @@28
S Aearly ageB A2@
*6
!!$I!inB 48> 64: 6<9
Nick point ti!e AhB 8 8 <
I@ Alater ageB A!!B :69 @@<: @@69
S Alater ageB A2@
*6
!!$I!inB ?>? 6>: 6@4
29
2.2.4 Standardiation !fforts
Eased on previous drafts prepared by 0rof 3oug .ooton of the 'niversity of Toronto% the
sorption coefficient test was updated and presented to /ST7 Co!!ittee C@>
A4B
The first ballot
has been co!pleted and the co!!ents fro! the co!!ittee !e!bers have been introduced into a
revised draft This revised draft Aprovided in /ppendi" /B was sent for discussion to the
!e!bers% prior to the Pune 4@@2 !eeting / precision and bias state!ent is currently being
developed and will be presented at the 3ece!ber 4@@2 /ST7 C@> !eeting for balloting
2:
2<
C8APE. 6& C'*P<E. *'DELS
6+5 Concrete Surface emperature and ime of -etness 78eat ransfer *odel9
To perfor! a sorptivity*based esti!ate of concrete service life% it is necessary to know when
and for how long the concrete pave!ent or bridge deck is wet Thus% a precursor to developing
the specific service life !odels was to develop a heat transfer !odel for a concrete pave!ent or
bridge deck The basic one*di!ensional !odel for heat transfer within a concrete pave!ent or
bridge deck has been presented previously
A>B
Figure ? shows the basic concrete pave!ent and
bridge deck configurations considered by the !odel% along with the relevant !odes of heat
transfer within the concrete and to$fro! its e"posed surfaces
A>%2@B
In the final version of the
CONCLIFE software% the user has the option of changing the di!ensions or the fi"ed
te!perature at the botto! soil surface to better !odel a specific syste! of interest
A2B
The
co!puter !odel considers heat transfer by conduction% convection% and radiation For radiation
to the sky% the sky te!perature is esti!ated based on a series of eCuations first presented by
;alton
A22B
and detailed below 3efault !aterial properties for the concrete and soil layers
A24B
are
provided in table 8 In the final version of CONCLIFE% the user also has the option of altering
these values if !ore specific infor!ation is available% essentially creating their own weather
datafiles
A2B
Environ!ental data for the heat transfer !odel is taken fro! the Typical
7eteorological 5ear AT754B weather data files provided by the National 1enewable Energy
Laboratory
A26B
These files provide typical weather data including a!bient relative hu!idity%
a!bient te!perature% cloud cover% dewpoint te!perature% incident global hori#ontal solar
radiation% precipitation events% and wind speed
Eoth syste!s shown in figure ? are !odeled with a one*di!ensional finite difference grid
with a default spatial resolution of 4@ !! Four !odes of heat transfer are considered at the top
concrete surface- conduction into the concrete% convection% solar absorption% and grey*body
irradiation to the surroundings For conduction% the heat flow contribution Ain ;$!
4
B is given by-
;
T T
3 A
conc cond

=
B A
Q
2 @
A4B
where kconc is the ther!al conductivity of the concrete in ;$A!
o
CB% T@ and T2 are the surface
te!perature and te!perature at the first internal node% respectively% and R" is the node spacing
A@@4 !B For the convection ter! at the top surface% the heat flow is given by-
B A Q
@ am'ient conv conv
T T h A =
A6B
where Ta!bient is the a!bient te!perature and hconv is the convection coefficient in ;$A!
4 o
CB
28
#igure 8. 0asic configuratins of one&dimensional heat transfer models for concrete pavements
and 'ridge dec3s.
Ta'le *. ?eneric mterial properties for the heat transfer model.
*aterial 8eat Capacit)
7,;7kg
o
C99
!ermal Conductivit)
7-;7m
o
C99
Densit)
7kg;m
6
9
Concrete 2@@@ 2: 46:@
Soil ?@@ @6 2<@@
;hile several e!pirical relationships to esti!ate convection coefficients e"ist% for this
study the convection coefficient was calculated based on the wind speed available in the weather
data files and the following eCuations used in the co!!ercially available FE77/SSE syste!-
A29B

s m v for v h
s m v for v h
/ind
/ind conv
/ind
/ind conv
$ : Q 4 8
$ : @ 9 < :
8? @
> =
+ =
A9B
2?
SOIL
CONC1ETE 0/+E7ENT
convection and radiation
conduction
CONC1ETE
Fi"ed te!perature A26 CB
@4 !
@4 !
conduction
CONC1ETE
convection
@4 !
CONC1ETE E1I3)E 3EC,
convection and radiation
where vwind is the !easured wind speed in !$s For radiation absorbed fro! the inco!ing
sunlight% the heat flow contribution is given by-
inc a's sun
A A Q =
A:B
where Sinc is the incident solar radiation fro! the T754 datafile A;$!
4
B and Tabs is the solar
absorptivity of the concrete Adefault value of @<:B For the top surface% finally% the irradiation
heat loss to the sky is given by-
B A Q
9 9
@ s3y 8 s3y
T T A =
A<B
where U is the Stefan*Eolt#!ann constant A:<<> Q 2@
*?
;$A !
4 o
CBB% V is the e!issivity of the
concrete Aassu!ed to be @>B% T@, is the concrete surface te!perature in ,% and Tsky is the
calculated sky te!perature% also in , The sky te!perature was esti!ated based on an algorith!
presented by ;alton
A22B
using the following series of eCuations-
( ) 8 in T T T
am'ient s s3y
Q
9 $ 2
=
A8B
where the sky e!issivity% Vs% is given by-
cloud
de/
s
#
T
Q B
486
lnA Q 8<9 @ 8?8 @ + = A?B
where Tdew is the dewpoint te!perature in , taken fro! the T754 datafile% and with the cloud
cover factor% Fcloud% as-
6 4
@@@4? @ @@6: @ @49 @ @ 2 > > > #
cloud
+ + = A>B
where N is the Ftenths cloud coverG% taking values between @@ and 2@% and also available in the
T754 datafiles
The ti!e step in the finite difference sche!e is established based on the discreti#ed
ele!ent thickness A@@4 !B and the ther!al properties of the !aterials% to ensure nu!erical
convergence of the solution
A2:B
The a!bient environ!ental conditions at any specific ti!e are
calculated by linear interpolation of the hourly values available fro! the T754 weather files
Eased on these eCuations% the environ!ental inputs% and the concrete !aterial properties%
the co!puter !odel predicts the concrete surface te!perature Asee figure > for an e"a!pleB and
logs wetting and free#ing events for the concrete surface 3uring the !iddle of a sunny day% the
concrete surface te!perature will rise above the a!bient te!perature due to the inco!ing solar
radiation Occasionally% on a clear night% the concrete surface te!perature will fall below the
a!bient value% due to radiation e!itted to the night sky ;etting !ay be due to a precipitation
event or condensation that occurs when the concrete surface te!perature drops below the current
dewpoint te!perature Each wetting event is characteri#ed by a starting ti!e% a concrete surface
te!perature% an e"ternal 1. prior to wetting% and a duration Each free#ing event is
characteri#ed by a starting ti!e% a !ini!u! te!perature achieved during free#ing% and a
duration Figure 2@ shows plots of the wetting events for concrete pave!ents in ,ansas City%
7O and 0rovidence% 1I Clearly% the 1hode Island environ!ent is wetter A88< total h wet during
2>
the year% vs 99? for ,ansas CityB These wetting and free#ing event files are then used in the
concrete service life !odels to be described ne"t
#igure 5. Temperature predictions for a concrete pavement in 2rovidence6 Rhode 7sland in the
spring. Time indicates cumulative hours from 'eginning of year.
4@
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2900 2950 3000 3050 3100
Time %h&
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

%
C
&
Ambie!
"#r$a%e
De&'(i!
#igure 10. 2lots of /etting events in 4top. 8ansas City6 9: and 4'ottom. 2rovidence6 R76 'oth
for concrete pavements.
6+1 Sulfate Attack
The service life !odel for sulfate attack is based on the !odel developed by /tkinson and
.earne
A2<B
;hile their develop!ent considered the !ain !ode of sulfate ion transport into the
concrete to be by diffusion% here we will develop a si!ilar !odel for sulfate ions transported via
sorption fro! the e"ternal environ!ent The basic eCuation developed by /tkinson and .earne
is-
A2<B
B
B A
B 2 A 4
4
!
f
spall
C !
v
B

=
A2@B
42
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 2250 4500 6750 9000
Time %h&
'
u
r
a
t
i
o
n

%
h
&
)r(vi*e%e+ ,-
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 2250 4500 6750 9000
Time %h&
'
u
r
a
t
i
o
n

%
h
&
.a/a/ Ci!0+ 1O
where
CE J concentration of reacted sulfate as ettringite A!ol$!
6
B
E J 5oung(s !odulus A)0aB
=spall J concrete spalling depth A!B
W J roughness factor for fracture path Adefault value of oneB
X J linear strain caused by reaction of sulfate ions to for! one !ole of ettringite A!
6
$!ol% default
value of 2?Q2@
*<
B
Tf J fracture surface energy of concrete AN$!B
Y J 0oisson(s ratio of concrete Aeg% @6B
The basic assu!ption of this !odel is that deleterious e"pansion and cracking is due to
the for!ation of e"pansive ettringite within the concrete ;hen the strain produced by the
growing ettringite crystals e"ceeds the fracture energy of the concrete% failure occurs% as a layer
=spall thick spalls fro! the concrete surface For a sorptivity*based !odel% the buildup of
ettringite is considered to be due to e"ternal sulfate ions penetrating into the concrete along with
the sorbed e"ternal solution
A6B
To use this !odel% the user !ust specify the concentration of
sulfate ions in the e"ternal solution Aeg% rainwater or groundwaterB and the sorption properties
of the concrete Specifically% for each wetting event% the CONCLIFE progra! calculates a
penetration depth based on the duration of the event% the concrete sorptivity% and the
environ!ental conditions A1. and concrete surface te!peratureB The !easured sorption
coefficients are ad&usted for the 1. &ust prior to the wetting event% using linear interpolation and
assu!ing a sorptivity value of #ero at 2@@ percent 1. AsaturatedB conditions They are further
ad&usted for the concrete surface te!perature based on the physical properties Aviscosity and
surface tensionB of water as a function of te!perature
A2@B
/ssu!ing that sorptivity scales as
AU$ZB
2$4
%
A2@B
where U is surface tension Ae"pressed in units of kg$A!

sB " 2@
*9
B
A28B
and Z is viscosity
Ain units of dynes$c!B
A2:B
% one finds-
4
Q @@@@?: @ Q @669 @ @:9 4 T T + =

A22B
where T is e"pressed in
o
C
Eased on these ad&usted sorption coefficients% the concrete internal Fsulfate AettringiteB
concentrationsG down to the penetration depth are updated and eCuation 2@ is used to evaluate
whether or not new spalling will occur If so% the spalling depth is updated This process is
repeated until the spalling depth e"ceeds the user*specified failure criteria% indicating the
esti!ated service life for the concrete This !odel co!prises one of the two !ain user screens of
the CONCLIFE progra!
A2B
6+6 Freeze;t!a" Damage
The service life !odel for free#e$thaw deterioration is based on the critical air void saturation
concept of Fagerlund
A2?B
The basic assu!ption is that the air voids in field concrete are slowly
filled by liCuid water during environ!ental e"posure This FfillingG rate is assu!ed to be
eCuivalent to the later age sorption coefficient Aafter the nick point ti!eB discussed above ;hen
a critical fraction of these air voids have beco!e saturated Awater*filledB% the ne"t free#e$thaw
cycle will cause da!age to the concrete For the purposes of the !odel developed in
CONCLIFE% failure is characteri#ed by the ti!e necessary to achieve the critical saturation The
44
subseCuent cracking developed due to cyclic free#ing and thawing is not considered Critical
para!eters are the porosity and air void content of the concrete and its sorption characteristics
To i!ple!ent this !odel in the CONCLIFE progra!% each wetting event is e"a!ined in turn If
the duration of the wetting event e"ceeds the nick*point ti!e% the penetration depth is co!puted
based on the sorption coefficients and the concrete porosity The sorption occurring after the
nick*point ti!e is used to update the saturation of the air voids within this penetration depth If
the saturation at so!e depth is greater than the user*specified critical saturation% spalling occurs
Once again% when the cu!ulative spalling e"ceeds the user*specified failure criteria% an esti!ate
of the concrete service life is achieved This !odel co!prises the second !ain user screen
within the CONCLIFE progra!
A2B
46
49
C8APE. =& S<**A.A
The technical basis for the CONCLIFE progra! has been presented Eoth e"peri!ental
and co!putational research have played !a&or roles in the develop!ent of the CONCLIFE
package This co!bined e"peri!ental$co!puter !odeling approach is viewed as the !ost
fruitful avenue for advancing the science of service life prediction of concrete structures
4:
ACC('-LED0E*E(S
The authors would like to thank the four state 3epart!ents of Transportation for providing
concrete core sa!ples for this study They would also like to thank 7ark Felag of the 1hode
Island 3epart!ent of Transportation for useful discussions% 3r )eorge ;alton of EF1L for
useful discussions concerning the concrete heat transfer !odel% and 0rof 3oug .ooton of the
'niversity of Toronto for providing an advanced draft of the proposed sorptivity test standard
which greatly e"pedited the process of preparing a test for balloting by /ST7 C@>
4<
.EFE.E(CES
A2B Ehlen% 7/% and Eent#% 30% FService Life 0rediction for Concrete 0ave!ents and
Eridge 3ecks E"posed to Sulfate /ttack and Free#e*Thaw 3eterioration +olu!e I-
CONCLIFE 'ser(s 7anual%G F.;/ report% 4@@2
A4B /ST7 draft sorptivity test
A6B Eent#% 30% Clifton% P1% Ferraris% CF% and )arboc#i% EP% FTransport 0roperties and
3urability of Concrete- Literature 1eview and 1esearch 0lan%G NISTI1 ?64>% 'S
3epart!ent of Co!!erce% Septe!ber 2>>>
A9B /ST7 C42:% FStandard Test 7ethod for Funda!ental Transverse% Longitudinal% and
Torsional 1esonant FreCuencies of Concrete Speci!ens%G /ST7 C42:*>8% +ol @9@4%
2>>>
A:B /ST7 C24@4% /ST7 C24@4* % +ol @9@4% 2>>>
A<B F1eco!!endation of TC 22<*0C3- Tests for )as 0er!eability of Concrete C
3eter!ination of the Capillary /bsorption of ;ater of .ardened Concrete%G 7aterials
and Structures% +ol 64 A428B% 28?*28>% 2>>>
A8B .owe% S% FThe )reat Tape Off%G Eackpacker% +ol 4> A2>@*?B% :>% 4@@@
A?B 7artys% N% and Ferraris% CF% FCapillary Transport in 7ortars and Concretes%G Ce!ent
and Concrete 1esearch% +ol 48 A:B% 898*8<@% 2>>8
A>B Eent#% 30% / Co!puter 7odel to 0redict the Surface Te!perature and Ti!e*of*;etness
of Concrete 0ave!ents and Eridge 3ecks% NISTI1 ?>>5% 'S 3epart!ent of Co!!erce%
/ugust 4@@@
A2@B Eent#% 30% Ehlen% 7/% Ferraris% CF% and )arboc#i% EP% Sorptivity*Eased Service Life
0redictions for Concrete 0ave!ents% 8
th
International Conference on Concrete 0ave!ents%
Orlando% FL% Septe!ber 4@@2
A22B ;alton% )N% Ther!al /nalysis 1esearch 0rogra!* 1eference 7anual% NESI1 36-1?>>%
'S 3epart!ent of Co!!erce% 7arch 2>?6% 'pdate 2>?:
A24B 7cCullough% EF% and 1as!ussen% 1O% Fast*Track 0aving- Concrete Te!perature
Control and Traffic Opening Criteria for Eonded Concrete Overlays% +olu!e 2- Final
1eport% F8-A-.D-43-5?:% Federal .ighway /d!inistration% 2>>8
A26B 7arion% ;% and 'rban% ,% 'ser(s 7anual for T754s* Typical 7eteorological 5ears%
National 1enewable Energy Laboratory% Pune 2>>:
A29B Schlangen% E% Online .elp$7anual !odule .E/T of FE77/SSE% 2>>@*4@@@%
FE77/SSE bv% The Netherlands% 4@@@
A2:B .ol!an% P0% .eat Transfer A7c)raw*.ill Eook Co!pany% New 5ork% 2>?2B
A2<B /tkinson% /% and .earne% P/% 7echanistic 7odel for the 3urability of Concrete
Earriers E"posed to Sulphate*Eearing )roundwaters% 71S Sy!posiu! 0roceedings% +ol
28<% 29>*2:<% 2>>@
A28B ;east% 1C AedB% C1C .andbook of Che!istry and 0hysics% <6
rd
edition% 2>?6
A2?B Fagerlund% )% 7odeling the Service Life of Concrete E"posed to Frost% International
Conference on Ion and 7ass Transport in Ce!ent*Eased 7aterials% 'niversity of
Toronto% October% 2>>>
48
4?
APPE(D%@ A& AS* C@@@@ Proposed est *et!od for *easurement of
.ate of A/sorption of -ater /) 8)draulic-Cement *ortars or Concretes
1

7D.AF- <nder /allot /ut not )et approved /) AS*9
5+ Scope
22 This test !ethod covers the !easure!ent of the rate of absorption AsorptivityB of water
by hydraulic ce!ent !ortar or concrete% by !easuring the increase in the !ass of a speci!en
resulting fro! the absorption of water as a function of ti!e when only one surface of the
speci!en is e"posed to water Two procedures are described In procedure /% the speci!en is
supported on top of water and the water ingress is by capillary suction In procedure E% the water
is placed on top of the speci!en ApondingB and gravity also plays a role in the water ingress
24 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns% if any% associated
with its use It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and deter!ine the applicability of regulatory li!itations prior to use
26 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard
1+ .eferenced Documents
C <94 Standard Test 7ethod for 3ensity% /bsorption% and +oids in .ardened Concrete
6+ Significance and <se
62 The resistance of concrete sub&ected to !any aggressive environ!ents is a function to a
4
This proposed test !ethod is under the Purisdiction of /ST7 Co!!ittee C*> on Concrete and
Concrete /ggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subco!!ittee C@><< on 1esistance to
Fluid 0enetration
4>
large e"tent of the penetrability of the pore syste! In unsaturated concrete% the rate of ingress of
water or other liCuids is largely controlled by capillary rise absorption This !ethod is based on
that developed by .all A
6
B who called the pheno!enon Fwater sorptivityG
64 The water absorption of the concrete or !ortar surface varies with AaB concrete !i"ture
proportions including the addition of che!ical ad!i"tures and supple!entary ce!entitious
!aterials% AbB surface finishing% AcB entrained air content% AdB type and duration of curing% AeB age%
AfB degree of hydration% and AgB surface treat!ents such as sealers% for! oil% etc /lso% the water
absorption is strongly affected by the !oisture condition of the concrete tested
66 In general% the e"posed surface of concrete !ay be different in absorption fro! the
interior The surface is the area e"posed to the !ost potentially adverse conditions This test
!ethod can !easure the water absorption rate both of the concrete surface and of the interior
The speci!en can be a section of a core taken at different depths fro! the surface
69 This !ethod is different fro! the test described in /ST7 C<94 in the procedure to
e"pose the speci!ens to water In C <94 the speci!ens are oven dried and then i!!!ersed
co!pletely in water first at 42 C and then boiled under water for : h In the test described here
only one surface is e"posed to water while the others are protected fro! the environ!ent This
si!ulates the water absorption in a wall in contact on one side with water% while the C <94 test is
used to deter!ine the !a"i!u! a!ount of water that can be absorbed in a speci!en
=+ Apparatus
92 0an * / watertight polyethylene or other corrosion*resistant pan large enough
to acco!!odate the test speci!en with the surface to be tested e"posed to water
6
C .all% F;ater Sorptivity of 7ortars and Concretes- / 1eviewG% 7aga#ine of Concrete
1esearch +ol 92% No 298% Pune 2>?>% pp :2*<2
6@
94 Support 3evice * 1ods% pins% or other devices% !ade of !aterials resistant to corrosion
by water or alkaline solutions% which allow free access of water to the test surface of the test
speci!en during the test /lternately% the sa!ple can be supported on several layers of blotting
paper or filter papers with a total thickness of at least 2 !!
96 Top*pan Ealance * with sufficient capacity for the test speci!ens and accurate to at
least @2 g The balance should co!ply with /ST7 C2@@:
99 Ti!ing 3evice* Stop watch or other suitable ti!ing device accurate to 2 s
9: Tissue 0aper or Cloths * for wiping e"cess water fro! speci!en surfaces
9< Environ!ental Cha!ber * the cha!ber should have a fan and should be able to
!aintain a te!perature of :@ [ 4C and a relative hu!idity at ?@H 6 H /lternatively% an oven
able to !aintain a te!perature of :@ [ 4C and a dessicator can be used The relative hu!idity
A1.B is controlled in the dessicator with a salt solution of potassiu! bro!ide The dessicator
needs to be large enough to contain the speci!ens to be tested
98 0olyethylene Storage Container * with sealable lid% which is large enough to contain a
test speci!en The container should not have a volu!e larger than : ti!es the speci!en volu!e
/n option for the container could be to have lock valves in the lid that could be connected to a
syste! to !easure the 1. inside the container
>+ .eagents and *aterials
:2 0otassiu! bro!ide% reagent grade ANote 2B
Note 2- Only reCuired if the oven$dessicator described in 9< is used
62
?+ est Specimens
<2 'se% as the standard test speci!en% a 2@@ !! [ < !! dia!eter core or cylinder% and a
length of :@ [ 6 !! The cross section of the speci!en should be constant A : !!
4
B 7easure
the actual dia!eter of the speci!en for use in calculations by averaging at least 9 dia!eters For
tests to evaluate curing effectiveness% take cores fro! the central portion of slabs at least 6@ !!
fro! any edge
<4 Test a !ini!u! of two speci!ens
<6 Since water absorption is affected by curing% conduct replicate tests on speci!ens
having test surfaces at the sa!e depth with respect to the e"posed surface
:+ Sample Conditioning
82 0lace test speci!ens in the environ!ental cha!ber% that is at a te!perature at :@ [ 4C
and 1. at ?@H 6 H% for 6 days /lternatively% place test speci!ens in a dessicator inside an
oven which is able to !aintain a te!perature of :@ [ 4C Control the relative hu!idity in the
dessicator with a saturated solution of potassiu! bro!ide 3o not allow test speci!ens to co!e
in contact with the saturated salt solution
84 0lace speci!en on support device inside the sealable polyethylene container
86 0lace the container at 46C [ 4C in an environ!ental cha!ber or oven for 2: days
ANote 4B
Note 4- The conditioning inside the sealed container results in eCuilibration of
!oisture distribution within the test speci!ens and has been found to provide internal
64
relative hu!idities of :@ to 8@H This is si!ilar to the relative hu!idities found in field
structures A
9%:
B
89 Store the speci!en in the desiccator &ar or a sealable polyethylene container until test
3+ Procedure
?2 Conduct the absorption procedure in ?< to ?> at 46 [ 4C with tap water conditioned
to the sa!e te!perature If the e"peri!ent is continued for !ore than 6 days% saturated li!ewater
shall be used instead of tap water The li!ewater shall be prepared by dissolving sufficient
calciu! hydro"ide ACaAO.B4B in distilled water to e"ceed the saturation concentration A2<: !g$g
of waterB
?4 1e!ove the speci!en fro! the container or bag and !easure the !ass of the
conditioned test speci!en to the nearest @2 g prior to sealing of side surfaces 1ecord this !ass
?6 Seal the sides of test speci!ens with a bitu!inous% epo"y% or other coating to prevent
absorption of water into the sides and to prevent evaporation of internal water ANote 6B /lso
cover the top of the speci!en with the sa!e !aterial or with a bag attached with a rubber band
Note 6- Strips of i!per!eable sheets% bitu!inous sheet% epo"y paint% vinyl electricians(
tape% duct tape% or alu!inu! tape have been found to be effective for this purpose
?9 /gain !easure the !ass of the speci!en with sides and the non tested surface sealed
and record as the initial !ass for rate of absorption calculations
9
3eSou#a SP% .ooton 13% Eickley P/% FEvaluation of laboratory drying procedures relevant
to field conditions for concrete sorptivity !easure!ents%G Ce!ent Concrete /ggr% +ol 2>% No 4%
3ec 2>>8% pp :>*<6
:
3eSou#a SP% .ooton 13% Eickley P/% F/ field test for evaluating high perfor!ance concrete
covercrete Cuality%G Can P Civil Eng% +ol 4:% No 6% Pun 2>>?% pp ::2*::<
66
?: 01OCE3'1E /- /bsorption by capillary
?:2 Fill the pan with tap water or li!ewater Asee ?2B until the level is 2 to 6 !!
above the top of the support device
?:4 1ecord the ti!e and i!!ediately place the test surface of the speci!en on the
support device Asee Figure 22B
?:6 /fter <@ [ 4 s% re!ove the test speci!en fro! the container% stop the stopwatch%
blot off any surface water with a da!pened tissue or cloth% and !easure the !ass within 2: s
?:9 I!!ediately replace the test surface of the speci!en on the support device in
contact with water and start the stopwatch
?:: 1epeat the procedure in ?:6 and ?:9 after total elapsed contact ti!es of
:% 2@% 4@% 6@% and <@ !in A[ 2@ sB fro! first contact of the speci!en with water Continue the
!easure!ents every hour up to < h and once a day up to 8 days fro! the first contact of the
speci!en with water /fter blotting% dry the surface of the speci!en% and invert the speci!en so
that the wet surface does not co!e in contact with the balance pan
Note 9- For !easure!ents after the first 2@ !in% stopping the stopwatch while the
speci!en is not in contact with the water is not necessary
#igure 11. Schematic of 2rocedure -.
?< 01OCE3'1E E- /bsorption by ponding
69
?<2 This !ethod allows the !easure!ent of absorption where the surface e"posed to the
water is the top surface Thus% gravity will be an additional force to accelerate the penetration of
the water into the speci!en 3epending on the end use application of the concrete% absorption
either against or with gravity !ay be a !ore appropriate !easure For e"a!ple% for concrete
pave!ents% absorption with gravity is perhaps !ore relevant
?<4 'se strip caulk and duct tape to build a da! around the edge of the top of the
speci!en 7ake sure that the caulk adheres tightly to the speci!en The da! should be about 2@
!! in height
Note : - If the da! is built in such a way that it does not lay on the top of the speci!en% the
test surface is eCual to the top section of the speci!en
?<6 /gain% deter!ine the !ass of the speci!en with sides and botto! sealed% and with the
da! on the top side 1ecord this value as the initial !ass for rate of absorption calculations
?<9 Fill the da! on top of the speci!en with tap water up to the top of the da! and
i!!ediately record the ti!e
?<: /fter <@ [ 4 s% pour the water out of the test speci!en% stop the stopwatch% and
blot off any surface water with a da!pened tissue or cloth and !easure the !ass within 2: s
?<< I!!ediately refill the da! on top of the speci!en with water and restart the
stopwatch
?<8 1epeat steps ?<: and ?<< after total elapsed contact ti!es of :% 2@% 4@% 6@% and
<@ !in A[ 2@ sB fro! first contact of the speci!en with water Continue the !easure!ents every
hour up to < hours and once a day up to 8 days fro! the first contact of the speci!en with water
Note <- To avoid evaporation of the water when the !easure!ents are longer than
one hour% cover the speci!en loosely with plastic wrap
6:
#igure 12. Schematic of 2rocedure 0.
4+ Calculations
>2 The initial rate of absorption% I% is the change in !ass AgB divided by both the cross*
sectional area of the test speci!en A!!
4
B and the density of water at the te!perature recorded
ANote 8B
Note 8 The density of water depends on its te!perature .owever% the effect of this
variation with the te!perature is not significant in this procedure% so the te!perature
!easure!ent is not reCuired The density of the water could be assu!ed to be 2@@ g$!L
A@@@2 g$!!
6
B
>4 The initial water absorption A!!$!in
\
B is defined as the slope of the line of I plotted
against the sCuare root of ti!e A!in
\
B Obtain this slope after using least*sCuares% linear
regression to establish the plot of I vs ti!e
\
3o not include the origin A!easure!ent at 2 !inB
as a datu! point ANote 8B 'se all the points in the regression until the plot shows a clear change
of slope If no portion of the curve I vs ti!e
\
data is linear Aa regression coefficient of less than
@>?B and the data show so!e syste!atic curvature% absorption cannot be deter!ined /n
e"a!ple is given in the /ppendi"
Note ? % The initial change in !ass up to one !inute is often higher than for subseCuent
ti!e intervals in part because it corresponds to water absorbed on the outer surface in
contact with the water and not absorbed inside the speci!en Ain the poresB
6<
>6 Obtain the water absorption at later age Aafter the line plotted in >4 shows a change
in slopeB using least*sCuares% linear regression to deter!ine the slope of the second portion of the
plotted points for I vs ti!e
\
Include only points for ti!es fro! 2 day to 8 days If no portion of
the curve I vs ti!e
\
data is linear Aa regression coefficient of less than @>?B and shows so!e
syste!atic curvature in the region% absorption at later age cannot be deter!ined
52+ .eport
2@2 /n e"a!ple report is given in the /ppendi" 2
2@4 1eport the following-
2@42 3ate sa!pled or date castD
2@44 Source of sa!pleD
2@46 1elevant background infor!ation on sa!ple such as !i"ture proportions% curing
history% type of finishing% and age% if availableD
2@49 3i!ensions and dry !ass of the test speci!enD
2@4: / plot of the absorption vs sCuare root of ti!eD
2@4< The average initial water absorption calculated to @2 !!$!in
\
and the
individual absorption rates for the two speci!ens
2@48 If the initial water absorption could not be derived fro! all the data points as
discussed in >4% indicate which data points are o!itted
2@4? 1eport the ti!e AhoursB at which the slope of the linechanges
2@4> The average later age water absorption calculated to @2 !!$!in
\
and the
individual absorption rates of the two speci!ens tested
2@42@ If the later age water absorption could not be derived fro! all the data points
as discussed in >6% indicate which data points were o!itted
68
55+ Precision and Bias
222 0recision * The precision of this procedure has not yet been deter!ined
224 Eias * Since there is no accepted reference !aterial suitable for deter!ining the bias of
this procedure% no state!ent on bias is !ade
,eywords- rate of absorption% initial water absorption% concrete% !ortar% per!eability
6?
APPE(D%@ 5&Example .ate of A/sorption est
Cast 3ate- 6$4$>> Test 3ate- 6$29$@@
Sa!ple No F*<? Concrete 7i"ture- 6:H fly ash $ w$c! J @9:
Sa!ple Conditioning- Cast% stea! cured% test face Jtop surface
Sa!ple- /ge 68? days /ge at coring- N/
7ass of Conditioned disc- 8:@: g Aprior to sealing sidesB
3ia!eter A!!B- 2@2< /rea- ?2@82 !!
4
Thickness A!!B- :@?
;ater te!p- 4@8
o
C
est ime Ti!e 7ass 7ass 7ass$area J I
3ays !in K!in
\
L KgL KgL K!!L
0 0.0 761.83 0.00 0.0000
1 1.0 762.45 0.62 0.0765
5 2.2 762.46 0.63 0.0780
10 3.2 762.48 0.65 0.0805
20 4.5 762.50 0.67 0.0826
30 5.5 762.57 0.74 0.0913
60 7.7 762.63 0.80 0.0987
120 11.0 762.68 0.85 0.1048
180 13.4 762.73 0.90 0.1110
240 15.5 762.77 0.94 0.1159
300 17.3 762.81 0.98 0.1209
360 19.0 762.82 0.99 0.1221
420 20.5 762.84 1.01 0.1250
2 1537 39.2 763.05 1.22 0.1505
4 3220 56.7 763.12 1.29 0.1591
6 4475 66.9 763.15 1.32 0.1628
9 8793 93.8 763.39 1.56 0.1924
8 10370 101.8 763.45 1.62 0.1998
? 11540 107.4 763.48 1.65 0.2035
> 13225 115.0 763.58 1.75 0.2159
6>
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Time [min
/!
]
M
a
s
s
/
a
r
e
a

[
m
m
]
day
ES'/TION OF LINE-
Initial /bsorption
I J S t ] b Apoints !easured during the first day are used% e"cluding the point at originB
S J 4<6 " 2@
*6
!!$!in b J @892 " 2@
*4
r J @>?

Later age /bsorption
I J S t ] b Apoints !easured after the first day are usedB
S J @?88 " 2@
*6
!!$!in b J @22 " 2@
*4
r J @>?
9@