Permeability & Water Absorption

Adequate durability of concrete is an important part of the design process and tests to determine durability have been developed for both laboratory and site use. It is essential that concrete can withstand the effects of the environment and provide long-term protection to embedded steel reinforcement if corrosion is to be avoided. One of the main features of durable concrete is low permeability and water absorption. Both of these can be measured using the various apparatus described.

ELE offer the Initial Surface Absorption Test (ISAT) to BS 1881-208 and a Permeability Test Kit to measure the in-situ water permeability of concrete.

The impermeability of concrete can be determined in the laboratory by applying water under a controlled pressure to the surface of 200 mm square concrete prisms and measuring the penetration of water into the specimen. ELE supplies a three sample Concrete Impermeability Apparatus that complies with EN 12390-8.

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