DETERMINATION OF WATER PERMEABILITY OF CONCRETE

AIM
To determine the water permeability of hardened concrete as per German
standard DIN 1048 Part-5
APPARATUS REQUIRED
Permeability cells consist of top plate and bottom plate
Water Reservoir fitted with gauge glass, safety shield, scale on panel
Panel fitted with pressure regulator, pressure gauge with pressure lines
Stand for mounting the panel
Hose pipe
Spanner
Mechanism
Unlike other methods the permeability of concrete is tested under
application of constant water pressure. The water is applied under constant
pressure on the surface of the concrete cube. The concrete strength and
durability depends on the pores in the concrete. If the concrete has more pores
the depth of penetration will be more. It means that concrete may be prone to
the chemical attack.
Significance
The durability of the concrete is mainly governed by the interconnected
pores. If the number of pores is more, aggressive chemicals like sulfates,
Chlorides which is detrimental to the structure gets into the concrete through the
accessible surface pores. The Water permeability test helps to assess the quality
of the concrete and thereby gives the resistance of the concrete to the
penetration of the aggressive agents.
Test setup

Fig. Water permeability apparatus

Procedure
1. The concrete cubes of size 150mm is cast and moist cured for 28 days.
2. The cured concrete is placed in the test chamber in such a way that water
pressure is applied on the face which is perpendicular to the compacted
direction.
3. The water is filled in the chamber which can be viewed through the
measuring scale in the front and the water inlet valve is opened
4. The compressor is turned on and the pressure regulator is adjusted to set
the pressure at the rate of 5Kg/cm2
5. The Pressure is maintained at a constant rate for 72 hours with the help of
the compressor.
6. At the end of the test period the water and pressure inlet valves are closed
and the specimens are removed from the chamber.
 7. Once the specimen is removed from the chamber, it is immediately taken
to a compression testing machine and split open at the centre using the
split tensile rod.
8. The Concrete is split at the face of the concrete which was exposed to the
water pressure
9. The Maximum depth of water penetrated is measured.

Precautions
1. The sample should be tested between the age of 28 to 35 days
2. The sample should be taken out of moist room only during testing
3. The water pressure is applied on the face perpendicular to the compacted
direction
4. The Pressure should be maintained at the constant rate throughout the test
period