The relation between strength and free water content of aerated concretes

Abstract

Summary: The effect of progressive small increments of moisture upon the strength of completely dry aerated concretes has been examined. The decrease in strength due to the first 2-3 per cent. of moisture has been found to be considerable, and to constitute a high proportion of the total drop in strength from the dry to the completely wet condition. When expressed as a percentage of the dry strength, the drop in strength of aerated concrete pom the completely dry to the completely soaked condition does not differ markedly from that of ordinary dense concrete. Since it is possible that the strength of dense concrete is Similarly affected by small contents of free moisture, it seems that comparison of dry strength test results can have little value wiihout a precise definition of the degree of dryness.