Glass electrodes as a sensor for pH of porewater in concrete

Experiments were developed and performed to determine if glass electrodes can be employed to accurately measure pH of porewater in concrete. An attempt was made to determine the reason for the general underestimation of the alkalinity of porewater by one or more pH units when glass electrodes are used as sensors compared to the OH- concentration obtained from titration of pore solutions expressed from hydrated cement samples. The linear response and alkaline error of glass electrodes was investigated. pH was measured for mortar samples cast in air as well as under CO2-free conditions. A flat-surface combination electrode was mostly employed for this purpose, but studies also involved the use of a microelectrode. The possible role played by Ca(OH)2 liberated during cement hydration in decarbonation of porewater is discussed based on experiments.