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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M67957/01
Title: IN SITU ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE TREATMENTS ON CONCRETE STRUCTURES
Principal Investigator: Buenfeld, Professor NR
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 25 November 1999 Ends: 24 June 2003 Value (£): 198,558
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Civil Engineering Materials Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Surface treatments (eg coatings) are increasingly being applied to concrete structures to provide a partial barrier against aggressive agents that may lead to premature deterioration. There is currently no in situ test method that can separate the protective effect of the surface treatment from that of the underlying concrete, rendering performance-based surface treatment assessment, compliance testing and long-term monitoring impractical. A spin off from a recently completed LINK project was the finding that ac impedance spectroscopy may well form the basis of such a technique. The primary objective of this project is to develop an impedance based method for characterising surface treatments in situ on concrete structures.In Phase 1, test cells will be developed, alternative test cell geometries will be investigated and methods of preconditioning the surface treatment will be explored. In Phase 2, the test method will be applied to identify the influence of important operational, environmental and surface treatment variables on the test results. In Phase 3, surface treated reinforced concrete panels will be exposed and tested on site. Recommendations will then be developed regarding the use of the test for surface treatment assessment, compliance testing and long-term monitoring.
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Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk