Surface Resistivity Test

What is a Surface Resistivity Test

The Surface Resistivity (SR) Test is a non-destructive, electrically-based method for estimating hardened concrete permeability. This test method is currently recommended for approving concrete mixture designs when the concrete is to be placed in environments prone to promote corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement. It is a proven and mature test method which can replace the more laborious determination methods which have been the standards for many years.

Benefits

Use of the Surface Resistivity Test in lieu of older testing methods saves technician labor and may also reduce the time required to approve concrete mixture designs. The SR Test requires approximately 10 minutes of technician time to perform, and it can be performed on cylindrical test specimens prior to their use for compression testing. Other methods of testing require dedicated test specimens and at least 24 hours of technician labor.

Contacts – Lead States Team

SR Test Library

• Presentations
  • 2012 Transportation Research Board Presentation
  • Comparison of Surface Resistivity to Bulk Diffusion Testing of Concrete
  • Surface Resistivity as a Performance Test for Transport Properties
• Other Publications
  • AASHTO Provisional Standard TP 95 on Surface Resistivity
  • Variability Analysis of the Bulk Resistivity Measured Using Concrete Cylinders, Purdue, 2011
  • Surface Resistivity Evaluation Report, LTRC, July 2011
  • Surface Resistivity Evaluation TechSummary, LTRC, July 2011
  • Corrosion Inhibitors in Concrete Second Interim Report, FDOT, February 2010
  • Characterization of New and Old Concrete Structures Using Surface Resistivity Measurements, FAU, August 2010
  • Permeability of Concrete – Comparison of Conductivity and Diffusion Methods, UF, June 2007
  • Determination of Acceptance Permeability Characteristics for Performance-Related Specifications for Portland Cement Concrete, UF, July 2003
• Photos/Images
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