A novel method for measuring porosity for normal and high strength concrete

Abstract

This paper described a novel apparatus for the measurement of porosity for normal and high strength mortar and concrete using vacuum-pressure saturation method. A detailed description of design, test procedure, and evaluation of results of the vacuum-pressure saturation apparatus was presented. Porosity values obtained using the apparatus were highly repeatable and reproducible. The apparatus could detect the effect of age, influence of water-binder ratio, and influence of supplementary cementitious materials of concrete and mortar mixtures. The apparatus yielded full saturation for high strength and dense mortar and concrete. The porosity values for normal strength concrete using the vacuum-pressure saturation apparatus were in good agreement with the results obtained using vacuum saturation method proposed by RILEM.