Crack Width Evaluation of Cracked Mortar Specimen Using Gas Diffusion Characteristics.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Concrete Technology

Background:

• Estimating mortar crack width is crucial for structural integrity assessment.
• Current water permeability tests are widely used but face challenges due to water viscosity and potential contamination.
• These limitations can affect the accuracy of crack width measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel gas diffusion test for precise mortar crack width evaluation.
• To overcome the limitations associated with water-based permeability testing.
• To develop a reliable method for accurate crack width estimation in mortar specimens.

Main Methods:

• A gas diffusion test utilizing oxygen as the permeating medium was developed.
• The method incorporates a compensation process for gas diffusion through areas other than the crack.
• This technique allows for a more accurate determination of average crack width.

Main Results:

• The proposed gas diffusion test provides a more precise estimation of crack width.
• The method demonstrated a significant improvement over existing techniques.
• Crack width estimations were achieved with a maximum error of 4%.

Conclusions:

• Gas diffusion testing offers a superior alternative to water permeability tests for assessing mortar crack width.
• The developed compensation technique enhances measurement accuracy.
• This method provides a reliable and precise tool for crack width evaluation in materials science and civil engineering applications.