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Effect of moisture and concrete composition on the torrent permeability measurement

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Abstract

The change of the gas permeability of concrete with age and the effect of defined moisture conditions were investigated. Four different concrete mixtures were produced and stored in the laboratory at 35%, 70% and 90% RH. The air permeability of the covercrete was monitored with the Torrent method. Under controlled environmental conditions the Torrent method is sensitive to the concrete quality. However, when young concrete or moist concrete is tested adverse effects lead to unexpected results. The results of the non-destructive Torrent method are compared with data obtained with other methods and indicate significant influences of moisture under certain conditions. The effects of moisture on the results measured with the Torrent method and possibilities to improve the method for the application on real structure are discussed.

Résumé

L'évolution de la perméabilité au gaz du béton en fonction de son âge et sous l'influence de différentes conditions d'humidité ont été étudiées en laboratoire. Des bétons de quatre compositions différentes ont été confectionnés et conditionnés à des humidités relatives de l'air de 35%, 70% et 90% pour être ensuite testés périodiquement avec la méthode Torrent. Dans des conditions d'environnement constantes, la méthode Torrent est sensible et permet, de différencier la qualité des bétons. Cependant pour les mesures effectuées, sur des bétons jeunes ou pour les conditionnements à une humidité élevée, il apparaît des effets qui conduisent à des résultats inattendus. La comparaison des résultats obtenus avec la méthode non destructive qu'est la méthode Torrent avec ceux d'autres méthodes d'essai montre que l'humidité présente dans les éprouvettes influence directement les résultats obtenus avec la méthode Torrent. Ces effects sont discutés de même que les approches possibles pour améliorer cette méthode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratories for Concrete & Construction Chemistry, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    M. Romer

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  1. M. Romer
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Additional information

Editorial note Empa is a RILEM Titular Member. Dr. Michael Romer participates in RILEM TC 189-NEC ‘Non-destructive evaluation of the ‘covercrete’ (concrete cover)’.

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Romer, M. Effect of moisture and concrete composition on the torrent permeability measurement. Mat. Struct. 38, 541–547 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479545

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479545

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