ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF CEMENT TYPES IN REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES OF ELECTRICALLY POWERED TRANSIT LINES

Electrical resistivity is an important physical property of concrete that affects a variety of applications. Therefore, any changes in the volume fraction of this matrix will affect the electrical resistivity of concrete. Present research has been underway to demonstrate the electrical resistivity of cement and mix design and effects of performance based specification and proper construction practices in reducing the life cycle cost of reinforced concrete structures especially foundation of power stations, concrete ties and slabs track of electrically power transit lines. Results of this research with DC current showed that age, W/C ratio of specimens, cement types are parameters, which affect resistivity of cement paste and therefore concrete matrix. Specimens with low W/C ratios due to reducing pore water volumes showed decreasing electrical resistivity of matrix. Also increasing age of specimens and decreasing free water volumes in matrix caused very low resistivity, which is an important factor in controlling corrosion, and resistivity.