Method for Evaluation of Concrete Permeability

Valdir Moraes Pereira 1

Gladis Camarini 2

ABSTRACT

Permeability of cement based-materials is the principal factor that provides their durability. This kind
of test is an important parameter for estimate their service life. Several concrete permeability tests has
been realized to try to measure and understand the movements of fluids in concrete porous and to
associate it with its durability. In this context, Thenoz method has demonstrated satisfactory results
when measuring air permeability of concrete. Thus, the aim of this work is to evaluate Thenoz
methodology, measuring outflow velocity and Reynolds number during air permeability tests of
concrete. In this way, concrete specimens were produced and submitted to two curing conditions (in
water and at laboratory conditions). The specimens were tested at 14 days, 28 days and 350 days.
Results obtained have shown that Thenoz methodology is efficient and an economical method for
measuring air permeability of concrete. Concrete age and curing conditions influenced air
permeability results. The method used shows that outflow regime can be considerate as laminar, in
accordance Reynolds number obtained in this study.

KEYWORDS

Concrete, Air permeability, Thenoz method, Reynolds number.

1
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, State University of Campinas (FEC-UNICAMP), Campinas,
São Paulo, BRAZIL, valmop@gmail.com
2
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, State University of Campinas (FEC-UNICAMP), Campinas,
São Paulo, BRAZIL, camarini@fec.unicamp.br
Valdir Moraes Pereira and Gladis Camarini

1 INTRODUCTION

Permeability of cement-based materials has been seen as the main responsible for its durability
because it controls the movement rate of aggressive ions inside concrete and may cause its
physical/chemical degradation. So, several approaches have been proposed to evaluate this concrete
property, having as main goal the search for an effective, viable and economic methodology to
measure and describe air permeability of concrete [PERRATON, 1989; SONG & NWON, 2007].

Discrepancies found in concrete permeability results may occur due to many factors such as
inadequate mathematical equations or methodology employed where results obtained cannot
correspond to physicals phenomena really involved. Mathematic equation cannot take in account
some physical phenomena and presents mathematical inadequacy to the type of flow mechanisms
measured. Therefore, for permeability tests apparatus and proposed methodologies have been proven
to be sought not only to evaluate the permeability of these materials, but the credibility and validation
of the test apparatus employed [GARDNER et al. 2008]. Thus, some factors may be employed for
measuring the validation of results for concrete air permeability: Reynolds number (Re) is one of
them.

Permeability results can not be realistic due type of fluids movement into porous media, where fluids
which flow in high velocities can entail pressure drop, causing flow turbulence and generate
deviations in Darcy’s law. These phenomena can generate results that cannot be real. One way of
assessing the fluid turbulence in outflow can be achieved by Reynolds number measurement.
Reynolds, analyzing the behavior of an ink filet inside water flow, observed that when flow velocity
was low, the ink fillet disposed of in a macroscopically organized way and parallel to the tube. By the
other hand, when the flow velocity was increased, fluid molecules movement was totally random
[VENNARD, 1966; ROMA, 2006]. Thus, Reynolds characterized these types of outflow in
accordance three numbers, that after, came to be called by his name: Reynolds number. The three
types of outflow, at tubes, were classified, as follows.

• Laminar flow regime: characterized by Reynolds number lower than 2100 (Re < 2100);
• Transition flow regime: this flow type is characterized by a region of uncertainty where there
is a transition from laminar to turbulent flow. This flow type can be characterized by
Reynolds number between 2100 and 4000 (2100 < Re < 4000).
• Turbulent flow regime: this phase can be observed for Reynolds numbers above 4000 (Re >
4000).

Among methodologies employed to measure concrete air permeability there is the Thenoz method
[THENOZ, 1989]. This method has shown good applicability in this kind of material. Initially, it has
been developed to determine the rocks permeability and it was based in Darcy’s law equation to
calculate air permeability values. However, in order to prove the credibility of the Thenoz
methodology used in concrete, some analysis must be conducted to assess the flow mechanisms
provided by this method.

Thenoz method employs Darcy’s law to describe physically and to measure concrete air permeability.
However, some considerations may be realized when mathematics equations based in Darcy’s law are
employed, as follows [BANTHIA & MINDESS, 1989].

• Pressure inside of porous material caused by fluid movement must be disregarded;

• Fluid compressibility on triaxial stress may be ignored;
• Outflow regime must considered as laminar;
• Temperature effects also must be neglected.

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 Method forEevaluation of Concrete Permeability

The aim of this work was to determine outflow regime occurred during the test of concrete air
permeability by Thenoz method. It was observed the results of air flow velocity into concrete porous,
which is necessary to determine Reynolds number of outflow. Thus, it were possible to evaluate
Thenoz method to measure concrete air permeability, and also to determine if air flow into concrete
porous occurred in laminar or turbulent regime as observed by Banthia & Mindess [1989].

2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Materials used in this experimental work were: blastfurnace slag Portland cement named CPIII 40
according to Brazilian standards and Type IS according to ASTM, river sand and crushed stone. Their
properties are shown in Table 1. Concrete specimens and mixtures used are shown in Table 2.

Concrete specimens were cast in cylindrical molds (100 mm diameter and 200 mm height). They
remained in molds for 24 hours and after they were demolded and remained in laboratory conditions
(LC – temperature of 23 ºC and 60% of relative humidity), and in water (IC – immersed curing) until
the age of the tests. These specimens were cut and a slice of with 100 mm diameter and 50 mm height
(Figure 1) was used for air permeability tests (Figure 2). Air permeability tests were carried out in
concrete at the ages of 14, 28 and 350 days (Table 2).

Table 1. Materials properties.

Material Properties
Fineness (%retained sieve # 200)……………...……..5,8
Blaine (cm2/g).........................................................682,63
Cement CP III – 40 (Brazilian Specific Gravity (g/cm3)………………..........……...2,99
Standards) Initial Setting Time (h:min)………………………....2:57
Final Setting time (h:min)……………………......…4:37
Normal Consistency (w/c ratio)……………………..0,31
Fineness Modulus………………………………...…2,53
Maximum Size (mm)…………………………....…..2,40
Fine aggregate
Specific Gravity (g/cm3)………………………...…..2,60
Bulk Weight (g/cm3)…………………………...……1,43
Fineness Modulus……………………………...……3.38
Maximum Size (mm)………………………………..19,0
Coarse Aggregate
Specific Gravity (g/cm3)………………………...…..2,99
Bulk Weight (g/cm3)…………………………...……1,52

Table 2. Concrete specimens, mixtures and curing conditions.

Name w/c ratio Age Mix proportion (c:s:cs)* Curing process

LC1 0,50 7-28-350 1:2:3 Laboratory conditions (LC)

LC2 0,46 7-28-350 1:2:3 LC

LC3 0,42 7-28-350 1:2:3 LC

IC1 0,50 7-28-350 1:2:3 Immerse curing (IC)

IC2 0,46 7-28-350 1:2:3 IC

IC3 0,42 7-28-350 1:2:3 IC

*c=cement; s = sand; cs=crushed stone.

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Valdir Moraes Pereira and Gladis Camarini

Before the test, specimens were 24 hours oven dried at 80 ºC in order to eliminate the water inside the
porous of concrete. After that, concrete specimens had their lateral surface sealed. This makes the air
flow only uniaxial and perpendicular to cross sectional area of the specimens.

All the results presented in this paper were an average of four (4) specimens for each curing condition
and age.

Figure 1. Preparation of concrete specimens to air permeability tests.

Sample
(50 x 100) mm

O’ ring

Pump Valve

Measurement Scale

Capillary Tube

Level 0
Constant Water Level

Figure 2. Scheme of air permeability apparatus.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Air Permeability

Air permeability of concrete results was obtained according to Thenoz methodology. The calculus
was made according to Equation 1.
µ s h0 l
k= . . ln .
ρ .g S h1 t Equation 1.

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 Method forEevaluation of Concrete Permeability

Where:
k = air permeability coefficient (m2);
µ = air viscosity at room temperature (Pa.s);
s = across sectional area of the capillary tube (m2);
l = specimens height (m);
ρ = fluid density used in capillary tube (g/cm3);
S = across sectional area of the specimens (m2);
h0 = initial height (m);
h1 = final height (m);
t = time to go to the net height h0 to h1 (s).
The relation ln (h0/h1) = 1 in Equation 1 were employed in order to have laminar flow [Ferreira Jr,
2003]. Heights h0 and h1 when determined by the relation ln h0/ h1 = 1 is based on the same
considerations to guarantee that the outflow occurs in laminar regime [YSSORCHE et al., 1995].
Thus, in this work h0 = 30.8 cm height and h1 = 83.93 cm.

The results have shown that all variables involved (curing method and age) in the test modify the air
permeability of concrete (Figure 3). As expected, air permeability results for immerse curing are
lower than concrete cured on laboratory conditions.

A global analysis of air permeability results report that air permeability of concrete diminished
approximately 150 per cent (150%) when immerse curing were utilized (Figure 3). The age of
concrete also modify air permeability results. For the same curing condition, as soon as time goes by
permeability is lower. Higher values were obtained for curing in laboratory conditions, indicative that
curing is important for improve this property. These results are in accordance with other works
[PEREIRA et al., 2008; BODIN & ZAHARIEVA, 2002].

7 DAYS 28 DAYS 350 DAYS

50
43,2
45
PERMEABILITY (10-13 m²)

40
35
30
25
20 15,1
15 12,6
9,5
10 7,3
4,1
5
0
LABORATORY CONDITIONS IMMERSE CURING

Figure 3. Air permeability of concrete.

Values of air permeability coefficients obtained were not far from the results obtained in other studies
[FERREIRA Jr. 2003; BARDELLA 2005]. This comportment can be explained due to different types
of seal of lateral surface specimens. However, results of air permeability obtained in this paper
demonstrate similar others studies, as that report by Pereira et al., [2008] and; Camarini et al., [2008].

3.2 Air Flow Velocity

Flow velocity results are shown in Figure 2. They were obtained from air permeability values,
according to Equation 2.
k ∆P
V =−
µ L Equation 2.

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Valdir Moraes Pereira and Gladis Camarini

Where:
V = outflow velocity (m/s);
k = air permeability constant (m²);
µ = fluid viscosity (Pa.s);
∆P = Pressure variation (N/m³); and
L = specimen height (m).

7 DAYS 28 DAYS 350 DAYS

90 81,3
80
FLOW VELOCITY (10-3 m/s)

70
60
50
40
30
20
8,68 7,28
10 3,92 4,11 2,20
0
LABORATORY CONDITIONS IMMERSE CURING

Figure 4. Air flow velocity.

Results of air flow velocity obtained had a profile similar to air permeability. At first ages the air flow
velocity is high, and it diminishes with time. These results confirm that curing conditions and age of
concrete (hydration degree) can be considered an important factor that controls the movements and
entrance rate of fluids into concrete. This reports the importance that curing methods and age of
concrete have to its durability.

3.3 Reynolds Number

Results of Reynolds number of outflow are presented at Figure 3 and were obtained according to
Equation 3.

Vdρ
R= Equation 6.
µ
Where:
V = average flow velocity (m/s);
d = diameter of the sample, which is responsible for flow (m);
ρ = fluid density (kg/m3);
µ = fluid viscosity (Pa.s).

For Reynolds number evaluation, some considerations were realized, such as:

• Porous of concrete were considered as small capillary tubes;

• Thus, outflow regimes (laminar, transient and turbulent regimes) were considered for tubes.

Reynolds number results are presented in Figure 3 and indicated that outflow occur in laminar flow
regime, i.e., Re < 2100, according to Vennard [1966] and Roma [2006]. Thus, considerations realized
in Thenoz method can be ignored because mathematics equation does not need to consider this effect.

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 Method forEevaluation of Concrete Permeability

7 DAYS 28 DAYS 350 DAYS

300 269,5

REYN OLDS N UM BER - OUTFLOW

275
250
225
200
175
150
125
100
75
50 28,77 24,13
12,99 13,62 7,29
25
0
LABORATORY CONDITIONS IMMERSE CURING

Figure 3. Reynolds number of outflow.

4 CONCLUSIONS

This paper studied air permeability of concrete obtained according to Thenoz method and evaluate
flow mechanisms of air in this test. To do so, it was evaluated both: air flow velocity and Reynolds
number of outflow.

Results obtained in this paper show some modifications of concrete air permeability when curing
conditions and age of concrete were modified. The values of air permeability obtained allowed
observing the decreasing of this concrete property with age. Results also have shown that immerse
curing can decrease significantly the values of concrete air permeability.

Results of air flow velocity into concrete porous in air permeability tests shown that this concrete
property decrease when immerse curing is employed and concrete age is more advanced. Reynolds
number obtained, when Thenoz methodology is used to measure concrete air permeability, reported
that, in this case, air outflow occur at laminar regime, i.e., Re < 2100.

The results show that this method is possible to measure the air permeability of concrete. Even though
the results were very promising, more tests are necessary to prove that this method is a good way to
determine transfer properties of concrete, which is related to its durability. It is also important to make
tests with other cement based materials, which is still being done at our laboratory.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the technicians of the Laboratory of Materials Constructions (LMC-
FEC/UNICAMP) and the Laboratory of Binders and Wastes (LARES-FEC/UNICAMP) for the
support for this research. We also thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological
Development (CNPq) for the financial support of this research (Process 133850/2006-4).

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