Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between moisture absorption and electrical conductivity in concrete, aiming to evaluate the feasibility of using electrical impedance as a non-destructive indicator of moisture transport behaviour. Concrete specimens with varying water-to-cement (w/c) ratios were prepared and conditioned for 150 days under controlled air-drying conditions. Moisture absorption tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM C1585-20, and both weight change and impedance were measured over time. Impedance data were collected across a wide frequency range (10 Hz to 1 MHz) using a two-point measurement configuration, and direct current (DC) electrical conductivity was derived through nonlinear regression analysis based on Jonscher’s power law. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between absorbed moisture content and electrical conductivity, with higher w/c ratios yielding increased conductivity due to greater pore connectivity. Furthermore, the data reveal a linear relationship between weight gain and conductivity, suggesting that continuous pores within concrete serve as common pathways for both moisture and ionic transport. Although this study did not confirm the saturation state of specimens or isolate the influence of closed pores, the observed trends are consistent with prior findings. These results highlight the potential of electrical conductivity as a practical, non-destructive tool for assessing moisture-related deterioration in concrete structures.
Keywords
electrical conductivity, water, concrete, absorption.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318153
Recommended Citation
Park, Ki-Tae; Kim, Jaehwan; Seo, Dong-Woo; and Park, Sangki, "Relationship between Water Contents and Electrical Conductivity in Concrete" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 4.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/tmc/4
Relationship between Water Contents and Electrical Conductivity in Concrete
This study investigates the relationship between moisture absorption and electrical conductivity in concrete, aiming to evaluate the feasibility of using electrical impedance as a non-destructive indicator of moisture transport behaviour. Concrete specimens with varying water-to-cement (w/c) ratios were prepared and conditioned for 150 days under controlled air-drying conditions. Moisture absorption tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM C1585-20, and both weight change and impedance were measured over time. Impedance data were collected across a wide frequency range (10 Hz to 1 MHz) using a two-point measurement configuration, and direct current (DC) electrical conductivity was derived through nonlinear regression analysis based on Jonscher’s power law. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between absorbed moisture content and electrical conductivity, with higher w/c ratios yielding increased conductivity due to greater pore connectivity. Furthermore, the data reveal a linear relationship between weight gain and conductivity, suggesting that continuous pores within concrete serve as common pathways for both moisture and ionic transport. Although this study did not confirm the saturation state of specimens or isolate the influence of closed pores, the observed trends are consistent with prior findings. These results highlight the potential of electrical conductivity as a practical, non-destructive tool for assessing moisture-related deterioration in concrete structures.
