Development of a permeability apparatus for concrete and mortar

A simple and straightforward permeability apparatus for concrete or mortar is described. The necessary equations for the calculation of pressure, dynamic viscosity, flow rate and permeability coefficient are given. Methanol vapor was used as the permeating fluid. The test has been found to be sensitive and repeatable. The proposed cell can be manufactured to fit samples of any dimension. The cell may also be used for any other type of solid porous media. The permeability coefficient of the sample run was found to be greatly affected by w/c and initial moist curing periods.

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