Transient moisture profiles in cover-zone concrete during water absorption

A number of sophisticated techniques, such as NMR imaging and γ-ray attenuation, have now been used to study moisture transport in porous construction materials. This paper presents initial developments in the application of discretized, electrical conductivity measurements as a relatively simple technique to monitor water movement within cover-zone concrete. Using a 3-phase model and the Archie relationship for porous rock formations, conductivity measurements are used to evaluate moisture-content profiles during water ingress and, through the use of Boltzmann's transformation, it is shown that these profiles collapse onto a master-curve. Having obtained the master-curve during absorption, the capillary transport coefficient (Dθ) can then be obtained; however, the current work focuses on presenting the methodology as an alternative testing technique.