Title : RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS TO ASSESS CONCRETE CHLORIDE RESISTANCE OF NEW PANAMA CANAL
Authors : Carmen Andrade, Nuria Rebolledo, Ángel Castillo, Fabiano Tavares, Rafael Pérez, María Baz
Publication : 8 - 10, October 2015
Volume : 2
Pages :
Price : 250
Abstract : Panama Canal that connects the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea was built 100 years ago. It is crucial for international trading. Its enlargement was decided as necessary due the increase in movements of goods and persons. A new set of locks was tendered and in 2011 started to be built by a consortium going by the name of “Grupo Unidos por el Canal”, GUPC, whose engineering division is coordinated by the firm Sacyr, S.A.. Although the concrete on the existing canal is not reinforced, the design for the new structure calls for reinforcing steel as an anti-seismic precaution. In its specifications, the Panama Canal Authority, ACP, requires a 100-year service life for the concrete in all members, defined to mean conformity with the 1000- coulomb electrical charge set out in ASTM 1202 and application of a reliable method for calculating service life. Present paper describes the electrical charge and resistivity findings for some of the mixes designed, as well as chloride penetration found by ponding. The results of running a numerical model for calculating service life are also given.