Moisture transport properties of concrete with SCMs – descriptions, test methods and some applications

Moisture transport properties of concrete are rarely determined, simply because it is difficult and time‐consuming. Most studies in literature are limited to cement paste and mortar. Translation of these properties to concrete are not straight‐forward. Recently, however, a few measurements are done, also on concretes with supplementary cementitious materials.

An overview is given on various ways of theoretically describing the moisture transport properties of concrete, with different “moisture transport coefficients” and their interrelations. Methods of determining those properties are shown and their advantages and drawbacks are discussed. Available data in literature are summarized and compared. A recently developed test method, the tin‐can method, is described. New results are shown for concretes with SCMs. The method's possibilities to be used for short‐term tests of aging concrete are discussed.

A few important applications where the moisture transport properties are decisive are presented: applying moisture‐sensitive flooring materials on concrete floor slabs and carbonation‐initiated reinforcement corrosion under varying climatic conditions.