Wetting and drying of concrete using aqueous solutions containing deicing salts

A series of wetting and drying tests were performed on concrete using different aqueous solutions containing deicing salts. The rate of fluid absorption was generally lower for aqueous solutions containing deicing salts than it was for water. In addition, less fluid was absorbed for samples exposed to aqueous solutions containing deicing salts than for samples exposed to water. The change in the rate of aqueous fluid absorption was proportional to the square root of the ratio of surface tension and viscosity of the absorbed fluid. Concrete that has been exposed to solutions containing deicing salts showed less mass loss during drying. Measures of equilibrium relative humidity over the salt solutions are used to interpret drying behavior. Experimental data indicates that concretes that had previously been exposed to deicing solutions can also exhibit reduced rate of absorption, even if water is the fluid being absorbed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.