Electrical resistivity of unsaturated concrete using different types of cement

• We performed electrical resistivity tests.
• We analyzed twelve different concrete samples.
• The electrical resistivity increases over time for all samples.
• The w/b ratios did not interfere significantly in results.
• Cements with additions show biggest resistivity values.

This paper aims to contribute with durability studies by monitoring the unsaturated concrete resistivity over 2 years. Four types of cements commercially used in Brazil were investigated. Some statistical tests (ANOVA and Turkey’s test) were performed to analyze the data. It was found that w/b ratios have no significant influence on the electrical resistivity values of the concrete for a same type of cement. However, the types of cement have a significant effect on resistivity. Cements with blast furnace slag and pozzolan additions have a higher resistivity. Trend lines to estimate the changes in resistivity over time were discovered.