Test methods for chloride diffusivity of blended cement pastes: a review by RILEM TC 298-EBD
Journal article, 2025
The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) is an important part of the roadmap for reducing CO2 emissions and extending the service life of reinforced concrete structures. To accelerate the adoption of SCMs, the RILEM Technical Committee 298-EBD evaluates scaled-down cement paste test methods to assess the effect of SCM on resistance to chloride and sulfate ingress and reactivity, which are critical to concrete durability. This review focuses on methods for measuring chloride diffusivity and is divided into four sections: diffusivity models and parameters, diffusion test methods (including NMR and chloride measurements), migration test methods and implications for future research. Key insights highlight the complexities of multi-species ionic and molecular diffusion/migration, including various binding interactions, and compares the different measurement methodologies. The review also addresses the test scale and aggregate effects, noting the pros and cons of testing at the paste, mortar, and concrete scales. The review underscores the need for further investigation into testing protocols and the influence of SCM on chloride diffusion, emphasizing that comprehensive testing across different scales provides complementary information for assessing durability performance.
Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM)
Concrete
Diffusion tests
Migration test
Chloride ingress
Cement paste
Author
Neven Ukrainczyk
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Thomas Bernard
Université de Sherbrooke
Arezou Baba Ahmadi
Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology
Liming Huang
Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Technology
Christoph Zausinger
Technical University of Munich
Anthony Soive
Université Gustave Eiffel
Stéphanie Bonnet
Institut de Recherche en Génie Civil et Mécanique
Fabien Georget
RWTH Aachen University
Maruša Mrak
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
Sabina Dolenec
University of Ljubljana
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
Tobias Völker
Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Prannoy Suraneni
University of Miami College of Engineering
William Wilson
Université de Sherbrooke
Materials and Structures/Materiaux et Constructions
1359-5997 (ISSN)
Vol. 58 10 324Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Construction Management
Building Technologies
Other Materials Engineering
DOI
10.1617/s11527-025-02809-4