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Electrical conductivity

Electrical conductivity is important in some specific applications such as railway sleepers (where resistivity can affect signalling systems) or in structures where concrete is used for protection from stray currents.

Moist concrete behaves as an electrolyte with resistivity of up to 100 ohm-m.  Air dried concrete has a resistivity in the order of 10 000 ohm-m, whilst oven-dry concrete has a resistivity in the order of 100 000 000 ohm-m.

Further information on the influence of mix design and age on electrical conductivity can be found in Properties of Concrete by AM Neville.

Acknowledgement: Concrete Society