Factors such as water to cement ratio, moisture, mixture, presence and depth of rebar, and dimension of specimens, all of which affect apparent resistivity of concrete, were analyzed by experimental and modeling methods. Cylinder and rectangular prism concrete specimens were used in the experiments exposed in a high moisture room, laboratory room temperature, high humidity and outdoor weather environments. Single rebar and four rebar specimens were used to study the rebar effect on the apparent resistivity. Modeling analysis was employed to verify and explain the experimental results. Based on the results, concrete with fly ash showed higher resistivity than concrete with just ordinary Portland cement. Rebar presence had a significant effect on the measured apparent resistivity at some of the locations. The results could be used as a guide for field apparent resistivity measurements and provide a quick, more precise and easy way to estimate the concrete quality. / by Yanbo Liu. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Prevention of the corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete is a constant challenge in engineering. A study of concrete surface resistivity versus elevation of partially immersed reinforced concrete structures in a marine splash zone has been developed and correlations made between concrete quality and chloride diffusion, i.e., aggressive ion permeability. A conditioning procedure was developed in which the concrete moisture content is increased by direct contact with fresh water for several days. The electrical resistivity of concrete is known to be primarily a function of the degree of water saturation. Correlations between field obtained concrete surface resistivity values versus chloride diffusivity, and between normalized resistivity measured on cores obtained from the field versus chloride diffusivity has been established. The resistivity values were measured on structures with different concrete mixes and various ages. / by Andres M. Suarez-Solano. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.