Preliminary Results of Surface Resistivity Readings (Wenner Method) on Field Marine Substructures as a Mean to Assess Concrete Permeability

Surface resistivity profiles as a function of elevation are being measured on recent and mature marine reinforced concrete substructures. In a later phase of the project the surface resistivity values measured will be correlated with chloride diffusion coefficients measured from the same structures. Previous lab work suggests that a good correlation exists on saturated concrete between these two parameters. The objective of this study is to assess whether a similar correlation can be obtained from field surface resistivity readings. Preliminary results suggest that a conditioning method needs to be applied on-site to approximate water saturation conditions at the elevations of interest.