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Initial Surface Absorption Test Results

The document reports on an initial surface absorption test conducted on a concrete sample to determine its permeability. The test measured the rate of water absorption through the concrete surface over time intervals of 10, 30, and 60 minutes. The results found absorption rates of 0.25, 0.158, and 0.181 ml/m2/s, respectively, indicating average permeability. While absorption decreased over time as voids became saturated, the presence of cracks from voids could increase permeability and affect results. The test is useful for evaluating concrete quality in situ.

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Vinay Gowda
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1K views5 pages

Initial Surface Absorption Test Results

The document reports on an initial surface absorption test conducted on a concrete sample to determine its permeability. The test measured the rate of water absorption through the concrete surface over time intervals of 10, 30, and 60 minutes. The results found absorption rates of 0.25, 0.158, and 0.181 ml/m2/s, respectively, indicating average permeability. While absorption decreased over time as voids became saturated, the presence of cracks from voids could increase permeability and affect results. The test is useful for evaluating concrete quality in situ.

Uploaded by

Vinay Gowda
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Report Cover: Title page with document title, subtitle, author name, and identification number.
  • Results and Analysis: Details the aim, data recorded, ISAT readings, and results related to concrete permeability tests.
  • Calculations and Graph: Contains detailed calculations, a graph illustrating ISAT values, and guidelines for permeability measurement.
  • Discussion: Discusses errors, industrial application, and references for further reading on the absorption test of concrete.

M09BE: Experimental methods for material and

structural evaluation

A
Report on
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete
By
Vinay halasuru siddaraju
SD id: 3473786
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete

Aim: To determine the rate of absorption of water through concrete due to porosity of concrete.

Results and Analysis


Data recorded
Diameter of cap 79 mm
Area of cap A1 4901.68mm2
Diameter of capillary tube 0.8mm
Area of capillary tube A2 0.503mm2

Capillary scale: 1div = 6x10-4A1/A2

Each division is equal to 0.01 ml/m2/s

Therefore number of divisions = 5.846mm

ISAT readings :
Table1

Time Movement Meniscus Meniscus Distance Distance No of


of meniscus reading reading travelled in travelled in divisions in
period (mm) (div) 1 min(div) 5sec (div) 5sec
30sec 24 4.1 8.21 0.684 10-30
10 min 1min 110 18.81 18.8 1.56 3-9
2min 293 50.11 25.05 2.088 <3
30sec 22 3.7 7.526 0.627 10-30
30min 1min 72 12.31 12.31 1.026 3-9
2min 185 31.6 15.8 1.318 <3
30sec 15 2.5 5.13 0.427 10-30
60min 1min 77 13.16 13.16 1.09 3-9
2min 212 36.258 18.12 1.51 <3

Therefore the values at time intervals 10,30and 60min the distance travelled in 5sec is <3 hence ok

Table 2

Time ISAT(ml/m2/s) Remarks


10min 0.250 Average permeability
30min 0.158 Low permeability
60min 0.181 Average permeability

2
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete

Table 3: Guidelines on different categories of permeability (IAEA2002)


TEST methods units Concrete permeability
low average high
2
10 min Ml/m /s <0.25 0.25-0.50 >0.5
30min <0.17 0.17-0.35 >0.35
1hr <0.10 0.10-0.20 >0.20
2hr <0.07 0.07-0.15 >0.15
Calculation:
Capillary scale division= 5.84mm

Distance travelled(div)= distance travelled/ capillary scale =24/5.847=4.105(div)

Distance travelled in 1min = distance travelled in30sec x2 =4.05x2=8.21(div)

Distance travelled in 1min=distance travelled in 2minx0.5=50.11x0.5=25.055(div)

Distance travelled in 5sec =distance travelled in 1min/12 =8.21/12=0.684(div)

ISAT = distance travelled in 1minx 0.01

Therefore for 10min interval ISAT =25.05x0.01=0.2505(ml/m 2/s)

Graph: Time vs ISAT values

0.3

0.25 isat
0.2

0.15
isat
ISAT (ml/m2/s)

0.1

0.05

0
0 10 20 30
Time(min)
40 50 60 70

3
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete
Discussion:
Initial surface absorption involves measurement of the flow of water per unit area into the concrete
surface subjected to the constant head. This method is good for In-situ, since it is non-destructive
test and easily available on site. Porosity in concrete structure will increase the water penetration in
concrete.

The scale divisions where converted equivalent to 1 min and values where adopted based on the
distance travelled by meniscus in 5sec. The measured values for 10,30 and 60min was found to be
1.250(ml/m2/s),0.158(ml/m2/s)and 0.181(ml/m2/s) which shows the absorption of concrete is
average .concrete with low absorption rate are more durable and have more strength then the
samples which absorb more water due to poor compacting and presence of air voids. From the
results we come to know that dry concrete will absorb water initially and reduce absorption with
time once the voids or pores present are completely saturated.

Graph above shows the ISAT value against time. We can find that the rate of water absorption
decreases with increase in time the absorption of the concrete could be due to presence of cracks
that could have formed due to the presence of voids which leads to improper surface of concrete.
Therefore with a concrete mix with more water cement ratio will allow porosity of water in concrete
mix .Thus increases the permeability of the concrete.

Sources of error:
 Presence of cracks on the surface will increase the permeability of water which gives false
results

 The temperature of water was not maintained at 20 degrees Celsius

 Difficulty to get a water tight seal as the water was coming out even though it was water
tight with grease applied

 Presence of moisture content also affects the results

 Presence of air bubbles in the tube

Industrial applications:
The test is applied mainly to determine the quality of concrete and its strength by quality testing
engineers.

The low permeability concretes will have high strength and hence can be used for pavement surface
for runways and highways etc.

References:
1) [Link]

2) 1881-208:1996, B. S. (1996). Testing concrete-Part 208: Recommendations for the


determination of the initial surface absorption of concrete. London: Standars Board.

4
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete

M09BE: Experimental methods for material and structural evaluation A Report on Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete B
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete Aim: To determine the rate of absorption of water through concrete due to porosit
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete Table 3: Guidelines on different categories of permeability (IAEA2002) TEST metho
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete Discussion: Initial surface absorption involves measurement of the flow of water
Initial Surface Absorption test of concrete 5

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