Filter paper method to determine the water retention curves for mortar and cement samples

• Autor(a) principal: VILASBOAS,J. M. L.
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: MACHADO,S. L., PINTO,S. A.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista IBRACON de Estruturas e Materiais
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1983-41952016000400525
• topic: water retention curves; suction; filter paper; concrete; mortar

Abstract This study deals with the application of the filter paper method to determine water retention curves for mortar and concrete samples. A water retention curve exhibits the relationship between water content and energy state in interstitial water, normally expressed as a negative value when compare to normal conditions of temperature and pressure, being referred to as suction. Considering the water retention curve as a basic characterization tool for unsaturated soils, its usage in the engineering field concerning most of the construction materials remains as a pending task. However, stating that not only permeability, but also the water retention curve performs a significant role for water and soluble substances flow through a material's pores makes this observation essential for life-span estimation in cases like reinforced-concrete structures. This research paper offers results for water retention curves obtained in mortar and concrete samples. The experimental curves went through a fitting adjustment process using Van Genutchen's [1] model, showing consistency with the obtained results. Furthermore, the water/cement mix ratio does not indicate or suggest a direct influence for water retention curves.