Permeability of Concrete - A "silent killer"
Managing Director, Design DeigratiaTM New Delhi
Introduction
Excellent long-term performance of concrete structures is associated with both concrete strength and durability properties, e.g., Permeability which is a governing property to estimate durability of a concrete structure. Many laboratory tests exist for measuring this property. In this article, a brief discussion about water and air permeability is presented followed by various experimental methods and laboratory equipment. In the end, analysis of the works of various researchers is included and there results are compiled to arrive at conclusion w.r.t. my point of view.Concrete Durability

Figure 1.1: Conventional Water Permebility Method with different lateral confinement
A concrete structure is considered to be of adequate durability if it performs in accordance with its intended level of functionality and serviceability over an expected or predicted life cycle. Durable concrete must have the ability to withstand the potentially deteriorative conditions to which it can reasonably be expected to be exposed.