Relationship between resistivity, diffusivity and microstructural descriptors for mortars with silica fume

Mortars with a sand-to-cement ratio of 3 and water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 were made with 0% and 10% silica fume (SF). Resistivities were measured with alternating current impedance spectroscopy (ACIS). Diffusivities were determined with the propan-2-ol counterdiffusion method. Microstructure was investigated with mercury intrusion porosimetry. It was found that there is a relationship relating hydration time to the product of resistivity and diffusivity. Furthermore, the product of resistivity and diffusivity was related to porosity, mean and threshold pore diameters. The influence of silica fume in refining the pore structure was marked.