This study deals with the application of the filter paper method to determine water retention curves for mortar and concrete samples. A water retention curve exhibits the relationship between water content and energy state in interstitial water, normally expressed as a negative value when compare to normal conditions of temperature and pressure, being referred to as suction. Considering the water retention curve as a basic characterization tool for unsaturated soils, its usage in the engineering field concerning most of the construction materials remains as a pending task. However, stating that not only permeability, but also the water retention curve performs a significant role for water and soluble substances flow through a material's pores makes this observation essential for life-span estimation in cases like reinforced-concrete structures. This research paper offers results for water retention curves obtained in mortar and concrete samples. The experimental curves went through a fitting adjustment process using Van Genutchen's [1] model, showing consistency with the obtained results. Furthermore, the water/cement mix ratio does not indicate or suggest a direct influence for water retention curves.
Rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete is one of the most serious manifestations that affect structures, resulting in considerable technical, financial, and social consequences. The corrosive process can be accelerated by carbonation or the action of chlorides, the latter being the phenomenon of greatest concern, since a large part of the world population lives close to a coast. This study analyzed how the characteristics of the cement and the dosing parameters of the concrete influence the diffusion of chlorides in both an isolated and in a combined manner. For this, several concretes were dosed with different water/cement and water/binder ratios, types of cement, mortar content, and mineral additions, each of which had their individual diffusion coefficients obtained from the chloride migration test. It was observed that the water/cement ratio is not the primary parameter for controlling the diffusion of chlorides in concrete. The aluminate content, the fineness of the cement used, and the water/binder ratio, more significantly affect chloride difusión.
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