Electric current-induced changes in porosity and Chloride resistance of hardened concrete

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68407700%3A21110%2F25%3A00386839" target="_blank" >RIV/68407700:21110/25:00386839 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60461373:22310/25:43933581

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113867" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113867</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113867" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113867</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Electric current-induced changes in porosity and Chloride resistance of hardened concrete

Original language description

This study demonstrates that direct current (DC) treatments can significantly alter the microstructure, porosity, and chloride resistance of cement-based concretes and mortars, including pure Portland cement as well as limestone- and microsilica-blended cements. A combination of experimental techniques — gravimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chloride penetration tests — was employed to evaluate changes in microstructure and transport properties. The results reveal that DC treatment significantly increases open porosity, especially in pure Portland cement systems (11%–17%), compared to blended systems (5%–9%). EIS measurements corroborated these findings, showing decreased resistance in DC-treated samples. Image analysis confirmed increased porosity, predominantly localized in the interfacial transition zones around aggregates, where hydration products such as calcium hydroxide (CH) were more susceptible to leaching. MIP measurements indicated a shift towards smaller pores ( 0.1 µm), at the expense of medium-sized capillary pores (0.1–1 µm). Chloride penetration tests revealed increased diffusion coefficients in pure Portland cement systems, correlating with higher porosity. However, samples with microsilica admixtures demonstrated enhanced chloride resistance, attributed to the higher packing density and higher Calcium-Silica-Hydrates (C-S-H) content resulting from microsilica–CH reactions and to the chloride binding. While smaller quantities of chloride ingress were observed, deeper penetration due to increased diffusion coefficients presents risks for rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms governing microstructural changes under DC exposure and their role in chloride transport.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

20101 - Civil engineering

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA23-05435S" target="_blank" >GA23-05435S: Nanomechanical performance of cementitious composites under radiation impact and variable environmental actions</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Building Engineering

ISSN

2352-7102

e-ISSN

2352-7102

Volume of the periodical

112

Issue of the periodical within the volume

October

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

19

Pages from-to

—

UT code for WoS article

001569209600022

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105014929312