Title:
Evaluation of New Air Permeability Test Device for Concrete
Author(s):
Dena L. Guth and Paul Zia
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
98
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
44-51
Keywords:
air-permeability test; concrete; durability; high-performance concrete
DOI:
10.14359/10159
Date:
1/1/2001
Abstract:
This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a device with two concentric chambers for nondestructive measurement of the air permeability of concrete. The Zia-Guth device is attached to the concrete surface by vacuum and measures the rate of pressure increase in the inner chamber as air flows through the outer chamber and concrete into the inner chamber. A computer program was developed to model the air flow through the concrete. The program produced a series of pressure-time curves that were combined with the experimental data to determine the permeability constant of the concrete. The test procedure was validated by conducting an experimental program in the laboratory, with variables including concrete age, the use of silica fume, different water-cementitious material ratios, and curing conditions.