Transport Properties and Durability of Concrete: Literature Review and Research Plan

Published

September 1, 1999

Author(s)

Dale P. Bentz, J R. Clifton, Chiara F. Ferraris, Edward J. Garboczi, J M. Torrents

Abstract

The increased emphasis on life cycle cost analysis for building projects requires that new attention be focused on the service life and durability of concrete structures. While concrete is typically specified based on compressive strength and slump, it is well recognized that durability is most influenced by the transport properties of the concrete such as diffusivity, permeability, and sorptivity. This report reviews the state of the art for measurement of transport properties in the laboratory and field and discusses the linkages between transport properties and models for various deterioration processes of relevance to highway concretes. Based on this review, preliminary research approach and testing guidelines are presented for evaluating the durability of new and existing concertos for pavements. a key feature of the overall approach will be the development of a general model relating concrete sorptivity to spalling damage for three common degradation phenomena: sulfate attack, alkali-silica reaction, and freeze/thaw scaling.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6395

Report Number

6395

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Keywords

building technology, concrete, durability, moisture content, pavement, permeability, service life, sorptivity, transport

Citation

Bentz, D. , Clifton, J. , Ferraris, C. , Garboczi, E. and Torrents, J. (1999), Transport Properties and Durability of Concrete: Literature Review and Research Plan, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860229 (Accessed October 16, 2025)