The relationship between permeability coefficient and surface strength of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles using “Cylindrical chamber” test method

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. Naderi 1
S. Din 2
A. Saberi Varzaneh 3
1 Professor, Civil Engineering Faculty, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.
2 Ph.D. Student, Civil Engineering Faculty. Imam Khomeini Intenational University, Qazvin, Iran.
3 Ph.D, Civil Engineering Faculty, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin.
10.22034/25.3.5
Abstract
Diffusion equations such as Darcy's equation which is used to measure the permeability coefficient of concrete has a one-dimensional limitation. If the water penetrates into the concrete in a multi-dimensional way. Therefore, there is a need for equations that measure the permeability coefficient of concrete either in a multi-dimensional way or without considering things like one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Also, acute environmental conditions such as different cycles of ice and ice melting have a negative effect on concrete and especially on the surface of concrete. Therefore, in this article, according to the fractal theory, a new theoretical relationship has been presented that measures the permeability coefficient of concrete without the need for permeability dimensions. Also, the relationship between the surface resistance of concrete and its permeability coefficient in the conditions of ice and ice melting has been investigated by using pull tests from the surface and cylindrical chamber. Cylindrical chamber test is a new test invented by Mahoud Naderi. This test is very simple and has a portable device. The above test has the ability to measure the permeability of concrete in situ. Using this test, it is possible to measure the permeability of water into the concrete without breaking the concrete. To perform the above test, a steel plate must be glued on the concrete surface using epoxy resin glue. The desired adhesive must have the required compressive and shear strength so that no water leaks around it during the test. After that, the cylindrical container should be placed on the steel plate and water should be poured into it. Then, by using the handle on the device, the required pressure is applied to the water so that the water penetrates into the concrete. In the "direct tension" test to determine the surface resistance of concrete, first a metal cylinder with a diameter of 5 cm is attached to the place of the test using epoxy resin glue, then by using the "direct tension" device, the tensile force is applied to the cylinder. It is inserted to separate from the concrete surface. According to the existing relationship, the resistance value obtained by the "direct tension" method is obtained by dividing the tension force applied by the area of the cylinder. The direct tensile test can also be performed in situ. In addition, unlike the previous theories, the new theory has the ability to investigate the effect of processing time on the permeability coefficient. The obtained results show the high accuracy of the presented model for measuring the permeability coefficient of concrete. Also, the acute conditions of ice and ice melting have a negative effect on the permeability coefficient of concrete, and an inverse relationship between the permeability coefficient of concrete and the surface resistance obtained from the pull-out test was observed. With the increase in the number of acute cycles of ice and ice melting, the permeability of concrete also increases, which shows the negative effect of these conditions on concrete. Also, a great agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was observed.

Keywords

Subjects

[1] Shen, L., Zhang, L., Yang, X., Di Luzio, G., Xu, L., Wang, H., & Cao, M. (2024). Multiscale cracking pattern-based homogenization model of water permeability in hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete after high-temperature exposure. Journal of Building Engineering, 84, 108643.
[2] Zhang, G., Zheng, H., Wei, X., Li, Z., Yan, Z., & Chen, X. (2024). Concrete mechanical properties and pore structure influenced by high permeability water pressure. Developments in the Built Environment, 100385.
[3] Zeng, W., Wang, W., Pan, J., & Liu, G. (2023). Effect of steel fiber on the permeability of freeze-thaw damaged concrete under splitting tensile and compressive loads. Journal of Building Engineering, 80, 108086.
[4] Zeng, W., Zhao, X., Zou, B., & Chen, C. (2023). Topographical characterization and permeability correlation of steel fiber reinforced concrete surface under freeze-thaw cycles and NaCl solution immersion. Journal of Building Engineering, 80, 108042.
[5] Zhang, J., Zhou, L., Nie, Q., Wu, H., & Wu, L. (2024). Effects of calcium sulfate whiskers and basalt fiber on gas permeability and microstructure of concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 411, 134369.
[6] Yang, J., Dong, Q., Chen, X., Shi, B., & Wang, X. (2024). Evaluation of concrete surface permeability: A dynamic water film-based approach. Measurement, 224, 113863.
[7] Yildirim, M., & ÖZHAN, H. B. (2023). Effect of permeability-reducing admixtures on concrete properties at different cement dosages. Journal of Innovative Science and Engineering, 7(1), 48-59.
[8] Powers, T. C. (1945, January). A working hypothesis for further studies of frost resistance of concrete. In Journal Proceedings (Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 245-272).
[9] Tian, J., Wang, W., & Du, Y. (2016). Damage behaviors of self-compacting concrete and prediction model under coupling effect of salt freeze-thaw and flexural load. Construction and Building Materials, 119, 241-250.
[10] Wang, B., Pan, J., Fang, R., & Wang, Q. (2020). Damage model of concrete subjected to coupling chemical attacks and freeze-thaw cycles in saline soil area. Construction and Building Materials, 242, 118205.
[11] Zhang, D., Mao, M., Zhang, S., & Yang, Q. (2019). Influence of stress damage and high temperature on the freeze–thaw resistance of concrete with fly ash as fine aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 229, 116845.
[12] Qiu, W. L., Teng, F., & Pan, S. S. (2020). Damage constitutive model of concrete under repeated load after seawater freeze-thaw cycles. Construction and Building Materials, 236, 117560.
[13] Ren, J., & Lai, Y. (2021). Study on the durability and failure mechanism of concrete modified with nanoparticles and polypropylene fiber under freeze-thaw cycles and sulfate attack. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 188, 103301.
[14] Polat, R., Qarluq, A. W., & Karagöl, F. (2021). Influence of singular and binary nanomaterials on the physical, mechanical and durability properties of mortars subjected to elevated temperatures and freeze–thaw cycles. Construction and Building Materials, 295, 123608.
[15] Zhang, B., Yan, B., & Li, Y. (2023). Study on mechanical properties, freeze–thaw and chlorides penetration resistance of alkali activated granulated blast furnace slag-coal gangue concrete and its mechanism. Construction and Building Materials, 366, 130218.
[16] Jiang, W. Q., Shen, X. H., Xia, J., Mao, L. X., Yang, J., & Liu, Q. F. (2018). A numerical study on chloride diffusion in freeze-thaw affected concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 179, 553-565.
[17] Li, L. J., Liu, Q. F., Tang, L., Hu, Z., Wen, Y., & Zhang, P. (2021). Chloride penetration in freeze–thaw induced cracking concrete: A numerical study. Construction and Building Materials, 302, 124291.
[18] Linjie, L. I., & Qingfeng, L. I. U. (2022). Freezing rate and chloride transport in concrete subjected to freeze-thaw cycles: A numerical study. Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society, 50(8), 2245-2256.
[19] Zhang, M., Yang, L. M., Guo, J. J., Liu, W. L., & Chen, H. L. (2018). Mechanical properties and service life prediction of modified concrete attacked by sulfate corrosion. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2018, 1-7.
[20] Mandelbrot, B. B., & Mandelbrot, B. B. (1982). The fractal geometry of nature (Vol. 1). New York: WH freeman.
[21] Xuan, W., Chen, X., Yang, G., Dai, F., & Chen, Y. (2018). Impact behavior and microstructure of cement mortar incorporating waste carpet fibers after exposure to high temperatures. Journal of Cleaner Production, 187, 222-236.
[22] Zhang, B., & Li, S. (1995). Determination of the surface fractal dimension for porous media by mercury porosimetry. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 34(4), 1383-1386.
[23] Gao, Y., Jiang, J., De Schutter, G., Ye, G., & Sun, W. (2014). Fractal and multifractal analysis on pore structure in cement paste. Construction and Building Materials, 69, 253-261.
[24] Chen, X., Zhou, J., & Ding, N. (2015). Fractal characterization of pore system evolution in cementitious materials. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 19, 719-724.
[25] Ma, H., Sun, J., Wu, C., Yi, C., & Li, Y. (2020). Study on the pore and microstructure fractal characteristics of alkali-activated coal gangue-slag mortars. Materials, 13(11), 2442.
[26] Han, X., Wang, B., & Feng, J. (2022). Relationship between fractal feature and compressive strength of concrete based on MIP. Construction and Building Materials, 322, 126504.
[27] Naderi، M. (2010); ‘Determination of concrete، stone، mortar، brick and other construction materials permeability with cylindrical chamber method’، Registration of patent in Companies and industrial property Office، Reg. N. 67726، Iran.
[28] Naderi, M., & Kaboudan, A. (2021). Experimental study of the effect of aggregate type on concrete strength and permeability. Journal of Building Engineering, 37, 1-11.
[29] BS EN 12390-8, (2009). Testing Hardened Concrete. Depth of Penetration of Water under Pressure, British Standards Institution, London.
[30] Naderi, M., & Kaboudan, A. (2020). Cylindrical Chamber: A New In Situ Method for Measuring Permeability of Concrete with and without Admixtures. Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 48(3), 2225-2241
[31] ASTM C1583/C1583M, “Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Concrete Surfaces and the Bond Strength or Tensile Strength of Concrete Repair Overlay Materials by Direct Tension (Pull-off Method)”, American Society for Testing and Materials, (2013).
[32] Pereira. E., Medeiros. M.H.F. Pull off Test to Evaluate the Compressive Strength of Concrete: an Alternative to Brazilian Standard Techniques. Ibracon Structures and Materials Journal. 5(6) (2012) 757-780.
[33] ASTM C128-15 (ASTM 2015); Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
[34] ASTM C127-15 (ASTM 2015); Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
[35] ASTM C136-19 (ASTM 2019); Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA.
[36] Giancaspro, J., Millman, L., Goolabsingh, R., MacDonald, K., & Yang, Q. D. A Novel Bearing Swivel Joint and a Universal Joint for Concrete Pull-Off Testing Using a Material Testing Machine. ASTM International. (2014).
[37] ASTM C666/C666M-22. (ASTM 2022); Standard Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
[38] Yu, B., & Li, J. (2001). Some fractal characters of porous media. Fractals, 9(03), 365-372.
[39] Patro, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Jayaram, V. (2007). Flow kinetics in porous ceramics: understanding with non‐uniform capillary models. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 90(10), 3040-3046.
[40] Xu, P. and Yu, B., 2008. Developing a new form of permeability and Kozeny–Carman constant for homogeneous porous media by means of fractal geometry. Advances in water resources, 31(1), pp.74-81.
[41] Kozeny, J., 1927. Ueber kapillare leitung des wassers im boden. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, 136, 271.
[42] Carman, P. C., 1937. Fluid flow through granular beds. Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. London, 15, 150-156.
[43] Corte, A.E., 1962. Vertical migration of particles in front of a moving freezing plane. Journal of Geophysical Research, 67(3), pp.1085-1090. https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ067i003p01085
[44] Zeng, Q., Li, K., Fen-chong, T. and Dangla, P., 2010, June. A study of the behaviors of cement-based materials subject to freezing. In 2010 International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (pp. 1611-1616). IEEE. DOI: 10.1109/MACE.2010.5535987
[45] Yuan, J., Du, Z., Wu, Y. and Xiao, F., 2019. Freezing-thawing resistance evaluations of concrete pavements with deicing salts based on various surfaces and air void parameters. Construction and Building Materials, 204, pp.317-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.149
[46] Özcan, F. and Koç, M.E., 2018. Influence of ground pumice on compressive strength and air content of both non-air and air entrained concrete in fresh and hardened state. Construction and Building Materials, 187, pp.382-393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.183
[47] Valenza II, J.J. and Scherer, G.W., 2007. A review of salt scaling: II. Mechanisms. Cement and Concrete Research, 37(7), pp.1022-1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.03.003
[48] Wei, J., Chen, Z., Liu, J., Liang, J., & Shi, C., 2023. Review on the characteristics and multi-factor model between pore structure with compressive strength of coral aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 370, 130326.
[49] Zeng, Q., Li, K., Fen-chong, T. and Dangla, P., 2010, June. A study of the behaviors of cement-based materials subject to freezing. In 2010 International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (pp. 1611-1616). IEEE. DOI: 10.1109/MACE.2010.5535987
[50] Yu, B. and Cheng, P., 2002. A fractal permeability model for bi-dispersed porous media. International journal of heat and mass transfer, 45(14), pp.2983-2993. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0017-9310(02)00014-5
[51] Chen, Y. and Xu, Y.F., 2019. Compressive strength of fractal-textured foamed concrete. Fractals, 27(01), p.1940003. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218348X19400036
[52] Kim, J. and Choi, S., 2023. Fractal-based microstructure reconstruction to predict the permeability of cement pastes. Construction and Building Materials, 366, p.130157.
[53] Xu, P. (2015). A discussion on fractal models for transport physics of porous media. Fractals, 23(03), 1530001.
[54] Wheatcraft, S. W., & Tyler, S. W. (1988). An explanation of scale‐dependent dispersivity in heterogeneous aquifers using concepts of fractal geometry. Water Resources Research, 24(4), 566-578.
[55] Liu, H., Xie, Z., Yu, R., & Zhang, N. (2022). A New Three-dimensional Fractal Dimension Model to Describe the Complexity of Concrete Pores. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 20(3), 127-138.
[56] Torrent, R.J., Neves, R.D. and Imamoto, K.I., 2021. Concrete permeability and durability performance: from theory to field applications. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429505652
[57] Naderi, M., Kaboudan, A.R., & Amin Afshar, M., 2020. STUDYING THE STRENGTH AND DIFFUSION AND PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENTS OF CONCRETES CONTAINING SILICA FUME, FLY ASH, ZEOLITE AND LIMESTONE POWDER. Sharif Journal of Civil Engineering, 36(2.2), 13-25.
[58] Kaboudan., A.R., & Naderi, M., 2020. Experimental and theoretical study of the effect of concrete constituent materials on the permeability of hardened concrete using “Cylindrical chamber” method. . Ph.D. Student. , Imam Khomeini International University.
Modares Civil Engineering journal
Volume 25, Issue 3 - Serial Number 83
July and August 2025
Pages 47-60