Title:
Early Age Permeability Measurements for Prediction of Concrete Durability
Author(s):
John Figg
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
131
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
289-304
Keywords:
aggregates; concretes; curing; durability; Figg apparatus; hydration; in situ test methods; permeability; tests; water-cement ratio; weathering; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1214
Date:
3/1/1992
Abstract:
Concrete prisms 500 x 100 x 100 mm were made using cement:aggregate proportions of 1:3, 1:6, and 1:9 with three different aggregates (flint gravel, limestone, basalt) and water-cement ratios in the range 0.35 to 0.90. Drilled-hole (Figg) permeability measurements were made after the prisms had been cured under water for 28 days and conditioned at 20 C and 65 percent relative humidity. The samples were exposed outdoors in trays 50 mm deep to accelerate damage from weathering in the expectation that the most permeable concretes would have the least durability. After 10 years, because the prisms were in remarkably good condition, they were dried and the air permeabilities were measured. The prisms were then returned to the exposure trays. The most permeable concretes (basalt) suffered damage after 12 winters of exposure. The permeability tests correctly predicted relative durability, but the unexpectedly good performance of the specimens is attributed to complete compaction, thorough curing, and continued access to water, allowing further cement hydration. Other test results on the fresh and hardened concretes are reported, and the permeability measurement procedures are briefly described.