Title:
New Water Permeability Test Scheme for Concrete
Author(s):
Zongjin Li and Chung-Kong Chau
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
97
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
84-90
Keywords:
autoclaves; coatings; concrete durability; permeability.
DOI:
10.14359/810
Date:
1/1/2000
Abstract:
An efficient test scheme for concrete permeability based on the principle of the test of water penetration depth is proposed. By utilizing an autoclave, at least 18 concrete samples can be evaluated simultaneously under the same operating conditions. Experimental results show that the proposed test scheme yields permeability measurements with high reproducibility. Testing conditions equivalent to those of a conventional flexible wall permeameter are simulated by fixing a water reservoir on the top and an air buffer at the bottom of the test sample, and the whole is put under uniformly applied pressure inside the autoclave. In addition, boundary leakage in the traditional concrete permeability test is eliminated by a new vacuum coating method that offers an excellent bonding between the concrete surface and the resin coating compound. Thus, the proposed test scheme not only greatly increases the testing efficiency, but also improves the consistency of the results of the water permeability test on concrete.