Influence of direct electrical current upon specific volume of mortar in sea water

Hollow, cylindrical mortar specimens of 0.4 water-cement ratio were prepared without reinforcement and exposed to flowing natural sea water for periods up to one year. Direct currents of 2, 10 and 50 mA were impressed between a mixed metal-oxide titanium substrate electrode positioned within each of these two zones, with a different electrolyte supply and exhaust for the cylinder core and exterior surface. Linear expansion of the specimens was evaluated as a function of exposure duration from the output of embedded strain gages and from dimensional measurement of cylinder length and diameter. It was found that expansion of specimens exposed to direct current exceeded baseline ones (no current). Also, the expansion was anisotropic in that different magnitudes and trends were apparent for the diameter versus length directions. The expansion under free exposure (no current) was determined to be a function of specimen size and of the direction of measurement relative to the cast specimen face.