Measurement of Chloride in Concrete by Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation

Published

September 1, 2024

Author(s)

Richard A. Livingston, Preethi Sridhar, Neal Berke, Amde M. Amde, Heather H. Chen-Mayer

Abstract

Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) is an elemental analysis method based on radiative neutron capture that is isotope-specific and has a high sensitivity to chlorine (Cl). To evaluate the feasibility of replacing the conventional wet chemistry method, ASTM C1152, with PGAA, 4 mixes of concrete were prepared with Cl added ranging from 0.004 % to 0. 0.067 % by weight of concrete. The PGAA method detected Cl at levels of 100 ppm by weight of concrete, on par with the Cl corrosion threshold of 100-200 ppm Cl. While both PGAA and C1152 methods gave results systematically below the nominal values of added Cl, the PGAA data showed excellent correlation with the C1152 results measured on the same samples. Given that PGAA can measure Cl in concrete as well as the C1152 and that it is faster and less labor-intensive, it can be a candidate as an alternative for the latter.

Citation

Aci Materials Journal Journal

Volume

121

Issue

5

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.14359/51742035

Local Download

Keywords

chlorides, concrete, C1152, prompt gamma, neutron activation

Citation

Livingston, R. , Sridhar, P. , Berke, N. , Amde, A. and Chen-Mayer, H. (2024), Measurement of Chloride in Concrete by Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation, Aci Materials Journal Journal, [online], https://doi.org/10.14359/51742035, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935629 (Accessed October 19, 2024)