ANALYSIS OF CAPILLARY ABSORPTION PHENOMENA OF CEMENT PASTE AND MORTAR BY USING TWO LIQUIDS IMMERSION METHOD

Abstract

Durability of reinforced concrete is correlated to the water content. Since the main cause of water content increase is rainwater supply from the surface, it is important to understand the mechanism of absorption. This paper analyzes the initial absorption of cement mortar caused by the capillary phenomena. Absorption test for two liquids were conducted for various mix proportions under several relative humidity and surface treatments. By using Lucas-Washburn equation, parameters corresponding to pore structure and wettability of pore internal wall were evaluated. It was found that almost any mix proportions of cement mortar have approximately the same internal pore wettability.