Abstract
Determining the water permeability of concrete in structures remains a conundrum because of difficulties in removing the influences of moisture. This study describes the extended flow-net theory developed on the basis of the two-pressure head concept, which provides a means of measuring permeability under the partially saturated condition. Surface mounted tests and the standard laboratory water penetration tests were carried out to verify this approach. Before determining the water permeability, steady state flow rates at two different pressure levels were evaluated and the effects of initial moisture conditions on flow behaviour were investigated. The results indicate that the proposed approach does offer a useful means of determining the water permeability of structural concrete, although it cannot be claimed to be universally applicable for all moisture conditions likely to be encountered in practice.
Keywords
in situ permeability test, two pressure head test, extended flow-net theory, unsaturated flow
Date of Version
2025
DOI
10.5703/1288284318137
Recommended Citation
Yang, Kai; Basheer, P.A. Muhammed; Yang, Fengyuan; Xia, Da; and Tsikouras, Basilios, "In-situ Tests of Transport Properties of Near-surface Concrete" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 3.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/mccarter/3
In-situ Tests of Transport Properties of Near-surface Concrete
Determining the water permeability of concrete in structures remains a conundrum because of difficulties in removing the influences of moisture. This study describes the extended flow-net theory developed on the basis of the two-pressure head concept, which provides a means of measuring permeability under the partially saturated condition. Surface mounted tests and the standard laboratory water penetration tests were carried out to verify this approach. Before determining the water permeability, steady state flow rates at two different pressure levels were evaluated and the effects of initial moisture conditions on flow behaviour were investigated. The results indicate that the proposed approach does offer a useful means of determining the water permeability of structural concrete, although it cannot be claimed to be universally applicable for all moisture conditions likely to be encountered in practice.
