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A water sorptivity test for martar and concrete

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Abstract

This paper describes a test rig to measure the uni-directional water absorption of mortar and concrete. The test data acquisition is controlled by purpose written software installed on a PC and the results are utilised directly to obtain the sorptivity measured in g/mm2/min1/2. As an example the apparatus was used to obtain the sorptivity of mortar in which the ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced by ground waste brick obtained from different sources. The results presented demonstrate the validity of the test, and the apparatus and the methodology are shown to be of sufficient sensitivity in detecting the differences between the sorptivities of the various mortars tested. The variation in the sorptivity with curing time and mixture composition was determined. The paper also gives the results of total water absorption test conducted on the sorptivity test specimens, after being reconditioned, and the results of compressive strength tests for all the mortars investigated.

Résumé

Cet article décrit un appareil d'essai pour mesurer l'absorption unidirectionnelle de l'eau par le mortier et le béton. Les données résultant des essais sont contrôlées au moyen d'un logiciel spécialement conçu installé sur PC, et ces résultats sont directement utilisés pour obtenir la sorptivité mesurée en g/mm2/min1/2. A titre d'exemple, on a utilisé l'appareil pour déterminer la sorptivité d'un mortier dans lequel le ciment Portland ordinaire avait été partialement remplacé par les briques de récupération partialement concassées. Les résultats présentés ici démontrent la validité de l'essai, et le fait que l'appareil et la méthodologie ont une sensibilité suffisante pour détecter les différences entre les sorptivités des différents mortiers étudiés. Les variations de la sorptivité en fonction du temps de cure et de la composition du mélange ont été déterminées. L'article présente également les résultats d'essais d'absorption totale de l'eau menés sur les éprouvettes utilisées pour les essais de sorptivité, après leur reconditionnement, ainsi que les résultats d'essais de résistance à la compression pour tous les mortiers étudiés.

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Sabir, B.B., Wild, S. & O'Farrell, M. A water sorptivity test for martar and concrete. Mat. Struct. 31, 568–574 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481540

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481540

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