X-ray analysis of concrete chemical composition

Concrete's Chemical Secrets: How X-Ray Tech is Revolutionizing Construction

Nico Varela in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the hidden world within concrete using X-ray fluorescence to analyze pore solutions and improve durability."

The construction industry relies heavily on concrete, but its complex inner workings often remain a mystery. The transport properties of concrete, which dictate its durability and resistance to environmental factors, are fundamentally linked to its 'formation factor.' This factor essentially measures the microstructure of the concrete, reflecting the relationship between connectivity and porosity.

Calculating the formation factor involves understanding both the electrical resistivity of the concrete itself and the electrical resistivity of the pore solution – the liquid residing within the concrete's pores. While measuring the resistivity of hardened concrete is relatively straightforward, analyzing the pore solution has traditionally been a complex and costly process.

This article delves into an innovative method using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to streamline the analysis of cementitious pore solutions. This approach not only simplifies the process but also offers faster and more cost-effective insights into the chemical composition, ultimately aiding in the creation of more durable and resilient concrete structures.

XRF: A Game-Changer for Pore Solution Analysis

X-ray analysis of concrete chemical composition

Traditional methods for determining the chemical composition of pore solutions, such as inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and ion chromatography (IC), are often time-consuming, expensive, and require specialized equipment. In some cases, a combination of these methods is even needed to fully characterize the ionic species within the solution.

XRF emerges as a compelling alternative, offering a rapid and economical way to analyze the key chemical components of pore solutions. This technique, commonly used in the cement industry for quality control, can be adapted to provide detailed information about the pore solution's composition, including the presence of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), sulfide (S²⁻), and sulfates (SO₄²⁻). By understanding these components, engineers can better predict the long-term performance of concrete structures.

Here's why XRF is a significant advancement:

Reduced Costs: XRF analysis significantly lowers the cost per sample compared to traditional methods.
Faster Turnaround: Get results in a fraction of the time, allowing for quicker decision-making in construction projects.
Simplified Workflow: XRF streamlines the analysis process, making it more accessible to a wider range of users.

The XRF method allows for the determination of key ionic species concentrations, which are then used to calculate the electrical resistivity of the pore solution. This value, combined with the electrical resistivity of the bulk concrete, allows engineers to determine the formation factor – a critical parameter for assessing concrete durability. XRF empowers the construction industry with a faster, cheaper, and more efficient way to understand and optimize concrete performance.

Future Applications of XRF in Concrete Science

The adoption of XRF technology for pore solution analysis opens doors for numerous exciting applications in concrete research and quality control. For instance, XRF can be used to study the dissolution kinetics of cementitious phases or to assess the impact of chemical admixtures on pore solution composition. Furthermore, early-age measurements of pore solution and concrete resistivity, obtained through XRF, can provide a reliable indication of the water-to-cement ratio, serving as a valuable tool for ensuring concrete quality and predicting long-term performance.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3791/58432, Alternate LINK

Title: Expression Of Cementitious Pore Solution And The Analysis Of Its Chemical Composition And Resistivity Using X-Ray Fluorescence

Subject: General Immunology and Microbiology

Journal: Journal of Visualized Experiments

Publisher: MyJove Corporation

Authors: Marisol Tsui Chang, Luca Montanari, Prannoy Suraneni, W. Jason Weiss

Published: 2018-09-23

Everything You Need To Know

What is X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and how does it help in understanding concrete?

X-ray fluorescence, or XRF, is a technique used to analyze the chemical composition of the pore solution within concrete. It helps determine the presence and concentration of key ionic species like sodium, potassium, calcium, sulfide, and sulfates. Understanding these components is crucial because they directly impact the electrical resistivity of the pore solution and, consequently, the long-term durability of concrete structures. By offering a detailed insight into the pore solution's chemistry, XRF enables engineers to better predict and enhance concrete performance. It does not directly measure the water-to-cement ratio but the early-age measurement of pore solution obtained through XRF can provide a reliable indication of the water-to-cement ratio.

What is the 'formation factor' in concrete, and why is it important?

The formation factor is significant because it reflects the microstructure of concrete and describes the relationship between connectivity and porosity. It's a crucial parameter for assessing concrete durability, as it dictates the transport properties of concrete and its resistance to environmental factors. Calculating the formation factor requires understanding both the electrical resistivity of the concrete itself and the electrical resistivity of the pore solution within the concrete's pores. This factor isn't directly a chemical property, but rather a physical characteristic derived from electrical measurements.

How does X-ray fluorescence (XRF) compare to traditional methods for analyzing pore solutions in concrete?

Traditional methods like inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and ion chromatography (IC) are often time-consuming, expensive, and require specialized equipment. XRF offers a faster, cheaper, and more streamlined approach. It reduces costs, provides faster turnaround times, and simplifies the analysis workflow, making it more accessible for broader use in construction projects. Some methods may be needed to fully characterize the ionic species within the solution; however, XRF is still faster and more economical.

What are some potential future uses of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in concrete science and quality control?

XRF can be used to study the dissolution kinetics of cementitious phases, assess the impact of chemical admixtures on pore solution composition, and provide a reliable indication of the water-to-cement ratio through early-age measurements of pore solution and concrete resistivity. These applications allow for better quality control and prediction of long-term performance in concrete structures. Further research could explore using XRF in combination with other techniques to gain even deeper insights into concrete's behavior under various conditions.

Why is it important to know the electrical resistivity of the pore solution in concrete?

Electrical resistivity of the pore solution is important because, when combined with the electrical resistivity of the bulk concrete, it allows engineers to determine the formation factor. The formation factor helps in assessing concrete durability. By knowing the concentrations of ionic species within the pore solution, measured using XRF, one can calculate its electrical resistivity and, subsequently, the formation factor of the concrete.