Document Archives

Influence of Compressive Strength on the Permeability of Concrete

• ID:

  941

• ESCSI:

  4358.002

• Author:

  Bremner, T.W., T.A. Holm and J.M. McInterney

• Publication Name:

  Special Publication 136

• Type of Publication:

  Paper

• Publisher:

  American Concrete Institute

• Dated:

  1992

• Issue/Volume:

• Other ID:

• Page(s):

  345-356

• Reference List:

  Y

• Abstract:

  The effect of stress on the nitrogen gas permeability of structural lightweight and normal weight concrete was deterrmined using cylindrical hollow concrete specimens loaded in axial compression at the same time as a nitrogen pressure differential was maintained across the cylinder wall.The nitrogen gas flow rate across the cylinder wall was noted and concrete permeability measured as load increased. Flow rates tended to remain constant up to a critical stress corresponding to the onset of unstable crack propagation whereupon the flow rate increased rapidly. Rapid increases in permeability occurred at lower levels of applied stress to strength ratio with normal weight concrete than with lightweight concrete.