Measurement of the Internal Relative Humidity Distribution in Concrete

The internal relative humidity (RH) and humidity gradients in concrete at early ages have a significant influence upon the properties of concrete, where exists a great discrepancy among the test results under different methods. By comparing and analyzing the traditional measuring methods of the REI in concrete, a new measuring method will be developed in this study, which could measure the internal RH in cement-based materials accurately, conveniently and digitally. The changing laws of the internal RH in concrete at early ages were discussed. The results indicate that the measuring results under the new developed system was more accurate than that by the predrilled hole method, while the external environment does not have any effect on the measured results obtained by using the new measurement system. What's more, the results achieved by the new developed. system approached the real RH in concrete very quickly; the RH near the surface of the specimen decreased quickly, while the RH in the center of the specimen decreased slowly, the moisture contents unevenly distributed through the various height of the specimen. Hence, there exists an obvious humidity gradient in concrete.