Permeability of concrete

Abstract

Concrete used in water-retaining structures, exposed to severe weather, or exposed to an aggressive environment must be virtually impermeable or watertight. Watertightness refers to the ability of concrete to hold back or retain water without visible leakage. Permeability refers to the amount of water migration through concrete when the water is under pressure, and also to the ability of concrete to resist penetration of any substance, be it a liquid, gas, or chloride ion. The growing awareness of the role permeability plays in the long-term durability of concrete has led to the need for ways to quickly assess the permeability of concretes. The use of admixtures such as silica fume, latex emulsions, and high-range water reducers allows placement of highly impermeable concrete. The study confirmed that several rapid-test procedures are available for estimating permeability instead of more complex flow testing.