Synergistic Impact of Entrained Air and Fly Ash on Chloride Ingress in Concrete Pavement: An Electrical Resistivity Model Approach

Abstract

Ensuring the durability of concrete pavements against chloride ingress is critical, yet the relationship between electrical resistivity and chloride penetration remains underexplored. This study evaluates the effectiveness of entrained air and fly ash in mitigating chloride ingress using an electrical resistivity model and surface resistivity tests. Concrete samples with varying entrained air contents (0% to 10%) and Class C or Class F fly ash underwent three-year ponding tests in temperature-controlled indoor water baths and outdoor CaCl2-NaCl brine solutions. The results indicate that lower entrained air contents led to a more rapid increase in resistivity, with concrete mixes incorporating Class C fly ash exhibiting 1.5 times greater resistivity gains than those with Class F fly ash. Surface resistivity tests revealed that reaction factors were 67% higher in specimens with 3.5% entrained air compared to 10.0%, while decreasing by 57% and 41% in concrete mixes containing Class F and Class C fly ash, respectively, across all chloride concentrations. Using back-calculated environmental factors, corrosion initiation potential in concrete pavements was projected for exposure periods of up to 50 years. These findings provide insights for optimizing entrained air and fly ash formulations to enhance pavement performance and durability.