Return to the VTRC Home Page
Click here to print the printer friendly version of this page.
 
Page Title: VTRC Report Detail

The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Title:

Fabricating and Testing Low-permeability Concrete for Transportation Structures
Authors:
H. Celik Ozyildirim
H. Celik Ozyildirim
Year: 1998
VTRC No.: 99-R6
Abstract: Many concrete structures are not providing the expected service life. Repairs are costly, cause inconvenience to motorists, and raise safety concerns. The durability of concrete depends on, among other things, the ability to resist the penetration of harmful solutions, e.g., chlorides. Recently, pozzolanic materials have been widely used to decrease the permeability of concretes. In this study, the permeability of concretes containing portland cement alone or portland cement with a pozzolan (fly ash, silica fume) or a slag was determined by either the rapid permeability test (AASHTO T 277) or the ponding test (AASHTO T 259). Concretes were tested with either test to determine the reduction in permeability with time. Results show that both tests indicate the permeability of concretes. The rapid permeability test is more convenient and relatively faster than the ponding test. Permeability decreases with time, and the addition of pozzolans or slag is very effective in decreasing permeability.