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Article
Open AccessOptimising confocal Raman microscopy for spectral map** of cement-based materials
Raman spectroscopy combined with confocal imaging, i.e. confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) is a relatively new technique with huge potential for high-resolution chemical map** of phase composition and spatial d...
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Article
Open AccessImproving bond strength and mass transport properties of spacer-concrete interface with textured spacers
Spacers are important devices used in all concrete structures to support reinforcing steel and achieve the required cover. However, spacers induce a weak, porous and microcracked interface that facilitates ing...
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Article
Open AccessCombined effects of vertical spacers and segregation on mass transport properties of reinforced concrete
All concrete structures contain reinforcement spacers, and deep sections can be affected by bleeding and segregation without displaying visible indications during casting. However, their effects on mass transp...
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Article
Open AccessMicroscopy techniques for determining water–cement (w/c) ratio in hardened concrete: a round-robin assessment
Water to cement (w/c) ratio is usually the most important parameter specified in concrete design and is sometimes the subject of dispute when a shortfall in concrete strength or durability is an issue. However...
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Chapter and Conference Paper
CHARACTERISING THE PORE STRUCTURE OF CEMENT-BASED MATERIALS USING BACKSCATTERED ELECTRON AND CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY
The pore structure of cement-based materials affects their mechanical properties, shrinkage behaviour, molecular/ionic transport properties and durability. This paper presents an overview of our work on imagin...
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Article
Characterisation of surface treatments on concrete by AC impedance spectroscopy
The electrical resistance of a surface-treated layer is generally indicative of its barrier properties, especially its resistance to ion diffusion. AC impedance measurements are rapid and non-destructive, and ...
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Article
Measuring the membrane potential across cement-based materials
Cement-based materials tend to self-establish an electric field when exposed to an ionic concentration gradient. This is of importance in several areas of cement technology, particularly where the prediction o...
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Article
Impedance spectroscopy monitoring of a polyurethane coating on mortar exposed to NaCl solution
Polyurethane coated OPC mortar specimens exposed to 1M NaCl solution were studied by impedance spectroscopy and SEM over a period of 4 years. Results showed a rapid reduction of the coating resistance over the...
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Article
A Glossary of Basic Neural Network Terminology for Regression Problems
Complex jargon represents an impediment to newcomers to the field of neural networks. This document presents a glossary of some of the basic terminology that may be encountered in the literature, with an empha...
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Article
Theoretical assessment of the steady state diffusion cell test
The steady state diffusion cell test is often used to determine the chloride ion diffusion coefficient in cementitious materials. It involves the measurement of the flux of chloride ions through a specimen und...
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Chapter
Neural Networks for Predicting the Deterioration of Concrete Structures
Our ability to predict the deterioration of concrete structures would be greatly increased if better use could be made of the large amount of data generated by condition surveys and long-term natural exposure ...
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Article
Accelerated Chloride Ion Diffusion Test
This paper presents a new test method for rapidly assessing the resistance of a concrete to chloride ion diffusion.
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Article
Examination of three methods for studying ion diffusion in cement pastes, mortars and concrete
Three laboratory techniques for studying ion diffusion in hydrated cement pastes, mortars and concrete are described and compared. In the first method, concentration profiles are produced by analysing material...
