Indian Standard

IS : 3085 - 1965 ( Reaffirmed 2002 )

METHOD OF TEST FOR PERMEABILITY OF CEMENT MORTAR AND CONCRETE ( Scvcath JANUARY Rcprittl
1)9(1 )

UDC

f&6,97:620.193.19

BUREAU

OF

INDIAN
9 BAIIADUR

STANDARDS
SHAlI ZAFAR MARC

MANAK BHAVAN,

NEW DELI11 110002

Gr 3

My

1965

IS:3085-1965

Indian Standard
METHOD OF TEST FOR PERMEABILITY OF CEMENT MORTAR AND CONCRETE
Cement Chairman
$HB K. K. NAMBIAR Members
N. H. MOHILE (Alternate to Shri K. K. Nambiar ) M. N. Dastur & Co. (Pvt) Ltd., Calcutta SHRI K. F. ANTIA U. P. Government Cement Factory, Churk SERI BENI PAL SIN~H Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Army Headquarters COL G. BENJAMIN SHRI S. KRISHNAMURTHI ( Alternate ) Bhekra & Bees Designs Organization, New Delhi SHRI P. S. BHATNA~AR Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry ot DR. I. C. DOS M. PAIS CuDDOU Irrigation & Power ) SHRI Y. K. MURTHY ( AZterna.te ) Khira Steel Works Privste Ltd., Bombay SHRI N, D. DAFTARY Central Public Works Department, Sew Delhi SHRI N. G. DEWAN SUPERINTENDINQENQINEER, END CIRCLE ( Alternczte ) The Associctted Cement Companies Ltd., Bombey DR. R. R. HATTIAN~ADI SHRI V. N. PAX ( Alternate ) & Standards Orgauization Research, Designs JOINT DIRECTOR STANDARDS ( Ministry of Railways ) (B&S) DEPUTY DIRECTOR STANDARDS ( B & S ) ( Alternate ) S. B., Joshi & Co. Ltd., Bombay SHRI 5. B. JOSHI Central Rond Research Institute (CSIH ), Sew PROF. S. R. ME~RA Delhi DR. R. K. Gaosu ( Alternate ) National Test House, Calcutta YHRI S. N. MUI~EHJI SIrRI E. K. RAMCHs4NDRAN ( L4kY?late ) Institut,ion of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta SHRI EARCH A. NADIRslI.4H National Buildings Organization ( Ministry of SHRI C. B. PATEL Works & Housing ) SHRI RABINDER SIN~H (Alternate ) Building Research Institute (CSIH), PROP. G. S. RAXASWAMS Central Roorkee SI~RI Af. G. TAJIHANICAR ( 9lfernale ) Gummon India Ltd., Bombny SHRI T. N. S. RAO SI~RI S. R. PINHEIRO ( dlternnte ) Geological Survey of Indis, Calcutta R*~RESEXTATI~E Mnrtin Burn Ltd., Cnlcutte I:EYi<l3l 31AT,\I SHRI

and

Concrete

Sectional

Committee,
Representing

BDC

The Conprete Association

of India, Bombay

(Continued on page 2 )
BUREAU
MANAK

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN
9 BAHADUR NEW DELHI

STANDARDS SHAH ZAFAR 110002

MARG

IS :3085 -1965
( Continued from Members
!&CRETARY BH. SUUUARAJU

page 1 ) Representing Central Board of Irrigation & Power, New Delhi Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi Dalmia Cement ( Bhnrat ) Ltd., Calcutta

, SifbI L. SWAROOP

SHRI A. V. RAMANA ( Allernate ) Sohu Cement Service, New Delhi SIIRI N. M. THADANI Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport Scar J. M. TRIZIIAN SHRI N. H. KESWANI (Alternate ) Director, IS1 ( Er-oficio Member ) Drt. H. C. VISVESVARAYA, Doputy Director ( Civil Enp ) Scwetary SI3RI Y. R. TANEJA Assistant Director ( Civil Eng ), ISI

Extra

Concrete
Conuener YHRI S. B. JOSHI Members S~XRIN. H. BRA~WANANI DR. I. C. DOS. M. PAIS CIJUD0U

Subcommittee,

BDC

2 :2

Y. B. Joshi & Co. Ltd., Bombay

l:ngillcer-ill-CIIiofs Branch, Army Heudquart,ers Contra1 Water & Power Commission, ( Miuistry of Irrigation & Power ) SHRI Y. K. M~~RTHY ( Alternate ) Resourch, Dosigns &Z Standards Organization DYPUTY DIRICCTORSTANDARDS ( Ministry of Railways ) (B&S) Engineering Research Depal%nent, Hyderabad DIRECTOR Maharashtrn Public Works Department YHRI V. N. G~NAJI National Buildings Organization (Ministry of SI~RI M. A. HAFEEZ Works SCHousing ) SRRI B. 8. SIXIVAMURTHP (dllerna/e ) Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of SHRI C. I,. HAND-4 Irrigation & Power ) Geologicnl Survey of India, Calcutta SURI P. C. HAXRA SHRI K. K. NAM~IAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
fhR1 c. L. N.

IYENGAR

( &eJW~e)

DR.M.L.

FURI

PKOF. G. S. RAMAS~~AMY

SIIRI M. G. TbxHdNKAR SHRI T. N. S. 1t~0 SirRI S. R. ~rl;~srlro ( L-ikermrte ) S~PICRINTEXDIW E:.UQINE~.K "ND Cent,ral Public \\orks Department, , New Delhi CIRCLE SHRI 0. P. GOEL ( dllerxale ) SLIRI J. BI. TRUI~AN Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport SHRI R. P. Srx~a ( Altewnle ) Umithwaite Burn Sr.Jessop Construction Co. Ltd., SICRI H. T. YAN C&xltta A&hoc

Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi Central Building Research Institute ( CSIK. ), Roorkee ( _-i~lerwle ) Gammon India Ltd., Bombay

Panel

for Permeability

of Cement

Mortar

and

Concrete

DR. EQUALALI SHRI S. B. J~SHI

SHRI I<. I<. ~ABIUIAR

DR. H. C. VIS~ES~IRAI-A

Engineering Research Department, Hyderabad S. B. Joshi CpCo. Ltd., Bombs? The Concrete Association of India, Bomba) Indian Standards Institution

IS:3085 - 1965

Indian Standard
METHOD OF TEST FOR PERMEABILITY OF CEMENT MORTAR AND CONCRETE
0.
0.1 This Indian

FOREWORD

Standards InstituStandard was adopted by the Indian tion on 20 April 1965, after the draft finalized by the Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.

0.2 Permeability of cement mortar or concrete is of particular significance in structures which are intended to retain water or which come into contact with water. Besides functional considerations, permeability is also intimately related to the durability of concrete, specially its resistance ,against progressive deterioration under exposure to severe climate, and leaching due to prolonged seepage of water, particularly when it contains The determination of the aggressive gases or minerals in solution. permeability characteristics of mortar and concrete, therefore, assumes considerable importance. 0.3 As the test for the permeability of mortar or concrete falls outside the scope of IS : 516-1959* and IS : 1199-19591_ and in view of its great importance, the Sectional Committee took up the formulation of this standard. 0.4 In the preparation of this standard, due weightage has been given to the need for international co-ordination among standards prevailing in different countries and the practices that are at present being followed in the country in this field. 0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960$. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
*Method of test for strength of concrete. tMethod of sampling and analysis of concrete. $Rules for rounding off numerjcsl values ( revised L

IS:3085-1965
1. SCOPE

1.1This standard covers the method for determining the permeability cement mortar and concrete specimens either cast in the laboratory obtained by cutting out cores from existing structures.
2. PRINCIPLE

of

2.1 The test consists in subjecting the mortar or concrete specimen of known dimensions, contained in a specially designed cell, to a known hydrostatic pressure from one side, measuring the quantity of water percolating through it during a given interval of time and computing the coefficient of permeability as described in 8.1. The test permits measurement of the water entering the specimen as well as that leaving it. 3. APPARATUS 3.1 Permeability Cell - The permeability cell shall consist of a metal cylinder with a ledge at the bottom for retaining the specimen, a flange at the top, a removable cover plate and a sheet metal funnel which can be securely bolted to the cell. Gunmetal, aluminium or other suitable corrosion-resistant metal shall be used for fabrication of the cell and cover plate, which shall be designed to safely withstand the maximum A rubber or neoprene O-ring or other suitable gasket, test pressure. seated in matching grooves, shall be used between the cell and the covet Typical details of the permeability plate to render the joint water-tight. cell together with pertinent dimensions for use with test specimens of various sizes, are show.n in Fig. 1. 3.2 Wjlter Reservoir - A suitable reservoir may consist of a length of metal pipe, 50 to 100 mm in diameter and about 500 mm long. The reservoir shall be fitted with a graduated side arm gauge-glass, and the necessary fittings and valves for admitting water and compressed air and for draining, bleeding and connection to the permeability cell, as shown in Fig. 2.
NOTE - The choice of reservoir dimensions is necessarily e matter of compromise between the accuracy with which the water entering the specimen can be nieasured and the adequacy of the capaoity. The ideal combination would be the smallest diameter and sufficient length to provide a capacity for at least 24 hours of continuous operation. Lengths much greater than shout 600 mm may be diEcult to handle.

3.3 Pressure Lines - Heavy duty armoured rubber hose or suitable metal tubing or any other equally suitable hose or pipe shall be used for the various high pressure connections. All joints shall be properly made to render them leakproof. 4

IS : 3085- 1965

PLAN
COVER PLATE

iD NIPPLE

CLAMPING RING ~SHEET 0n METAL FUNNEL

ENLARGED
SPECIMEN DIA

SECTION

XX

DIMENSION OB CELL,~~
A B 80 120 260

mm
I c 110 160 320

100 150 300

116 170 330

Fro. 1 TYPICAL DETAILS op PEBYEABILITY CELL

IS:3085

- 1965

PRESSED AIR _

4l

AIR PRESSURE REGULATOR AND GAUGE

BLEEDER

VALVE CELL

WATER

INLET-,

GRADUATED GAUGE GLASS (WITH SAFETY SHIECO)

WATER

RESERVOIR

/1

SHUT-OFF

VALVE

PERMEA6lLlTV

CELL

TO COLLECTION FIQ. 2

BOTTLE

PERMEABILITY TEST SET-UP ( SCIIHMATIC) 6

IS:3085 4. ACCESSORIES

- 1965

Suitable arrangements shall be made for supplying compressed air at 5 kg/cm2 to 15 kg/cm2 ( see 6 ) to the permeability cell assemblies. Compressed air ( or nitrogen ) cylinders or alternatively a compressor of adequate capacity may be used. Suitable regulating valves and pressure gauges shall be provided. Several cells at different operating pressures may be served by a common source as shown in Fig. 2. 4.2 Supply of De-aired Water - An adequate supply of clean de-aired water shall be available for use in the permeability tests. Water may be easily de-aired for this purpose by boiling and cooling. De-aired water may be stored in closed containers, which should, as far as possible, be kept full. Unnecessary agitations and contact with air shall be avoided. 5.

4.1 Supply of Compressed Air -

TEST SPECIMENS

specimens shall be cylindrical in shape with height equal to the diameter. The standard size of specimen shall have In the case of specimens containing diameter ( and height ) of 150 mm. aggregates whose nominal size does not exceed 20 mm, the diameter (and the height) of the specimen may be reduced to 100 mm. In the case of specimens containing aggregates whose nominal size exceeds 40 mm, the diameter (and the height ) of the specimen should not be less than about four times the nominal size of the aggregate. 5.2 Casting and Curing - The mortar or concrete mix shall be cast in split moulds of the required size, with a removable collar of about hall the height set on the top. The material shall be compacted either by hand rodding or vibration, as proposed to be done during construction. The collar shall then be removed and the mould shall be struck off level with a straight-edge using a sawing motion without further trovelling OI finishing, which might raise the fines to the surface. The specimen shall be cured for 28 days unless otherwise specified by the engineer-in-charge. 6.

5.1 Size of Specimens -The

PRESSURE HEAD

test pressure head to be applied to the water in the reservoir should be 10 kg/cm. This may, however, be reduced up to 5 kg/cm2 in the case of relatively more pel,meable specimens where steady state of flow is obtained in a reasonable time, and may be increased up to 15 kg/cm for relatively less permeable specimens and whe1.e senlillg could be ensured to be fully elfectivc. 7.

6.1 The standard

PROCEDURE
shall be calibrated uncle1

7.1 Calibrating the Reservoir - Each reservoir

7

IS :3085-1965
the operating below:

pressures

of

5 kg/cm2 to 15 kg/cm2 ( see 6 ) as indicated

With the reservoir drain-cock and the shut-off valve between the reservoir and the cell closed, and with the air bleeder valve open, the reservoir shall be filled with water. The reservoir drain-cock shall then be opened to flush out any air and closed again. The reservoir shall be refilled to a point above the zero mark of the gauge-glass scale; the bleeder valve shall be closed and the desired air pressure applied. The drain-cock shall be carefully opened to bring the water to the zero mark and quickly closed. Water shall then be drawn off and caught in 250 ml increments in a graduated jar and the level in the gauge-glass read on the scale. The calibration constant for the reservoir shall be expressed in millilitres per division of the scale. 7.2 Preparing the Specimen - The specimen with a stiff wire brush to remove all laitance. be sand-blasted or lightly chiselled. shall be thoroughly cleaned The end faces shall then

7.3 Sealing the Specimen - The specimen shall be surface-dried and the dimensions measured to the nearest 0.5 mm. It shall then be centred in tht: cell, with the lower end resting on the ledge. The annular space between the specimen and the cell shall be tightly caulked to a depth of about 10 mm using a cotton or hemp cord soaked in a suitable molten sealing compound. The rest of the space shall be carefully filled with the molten sealing compound, level with the top of the specimen. Any drop in the level due to cooling shall be made up, using a heated rod to remelt the solidified,compound before pouring fresh material over it. A mixture of bees-wax and rosin, applied smoking hot, forms an effective seal. The proper proportions are best chosen by trial. Other suitable materials are stearine pitch, marine glue, and various asphaltic compounds. 7.4 Testing the Seal - It is essential that the seal is ,watertight. This may be checked very conveniently by bolting on the top cover plate, inverting the cell and applying an air pressure of 1 to 2 kg/cm2 from below. A little water poured on the exposed face of the specimen is used to detect any leaks through the seal, which would show up as bubbles along ihe ledge. In case of leaks the specimen shall be taken out and resealed. 7.5 Assembling the Apparatus - After a satisfactory seal has been obtained, the funnel shall be secured in position and the cell assembly connected to the water reservoir, as illustrated in Fig. 2. With the air bleeder valve, the valve between the reservoir and the cell, and the drain-cock in the cell open, de-aired water shall be allowed to enter the reservoir. When water issues freely through the drain-cock, it shall be closed and the water reservoir filled. The reservoir water inlet and air bleeder valves shall then be closed.

IS : 3085 - 1965
the system completely filled with water, the desired test pressure ( see 6 ) shall be applied to the water reservoir and the initial reading of the gauge-glass recorded. At the same time a clean collection bottle shall be weighed and placed in position to collect the water percolating through the specimen. The quantity of percolate and the gauge-glass readings shall be recorded at periodic intervals. In the beginning, the rate of water intake is larger than the rate of outflow. As the steady state of flow is approached, the two rates tend to become equal and the outflow reaches a maximum and stabilizes. With further passage of time, both the inflow and outflow generally register a gradual drop. Permeability test shall be continued for about 100 hours after the steady state of flow has been reached and the outflow shall be considered as average of all the outflows measured during this period of 100 hours.

7.6 Running the Test -With

NOTE - The steady state of flow is defined as the stage and inflow of water become equal for the first time.

at which

tho outllow

test shall preferably 7.7 Test Temperature -The In case arrangements temperature of 27 f 2C. maintaining the above temperature, a record shall actual temperature. An approximate correction basis that each 5C increase of temperature above ture, results in IO percent increase in the coefficient

vice versa.

be carried out at a are not available for be maintained of the may be made on the the standard tempcraof permeability and

7.8 Precautions - There are several precautions

which sha!l be observed, before any dependable estimate of permeability can be obtained from the test data, of these the most important are as follows:

a)

The seal around the specimen shall be effective. Leakage it can give rise to entirely misleading results. Obtaining seal is a matter of experience and only a general guidance provided.

through a good can be

It is important that the air content of the water entering the specimen should not exceed about 0.2 percent. Excessive amounts of dissolved air can result in air locks in the specimen and appaPeriodical samples shall be drawu rent reduction in permeability. from the cell drain-cock and the dissolved air determined. The system shall be drained and rel~lcnisl~ccl with fresh de-aired water, as soon as the air content exceeds the above limit.

Cl The

flow should be permitted to attain the steady state before the Examination of the coefficient of permeability is calculated. inflow and outflow rate data or suitable graphs of the same may be used to determine the establishment of the steady stnta.

d)

The observation of outflow from the specimen is liable to he lhe influenced by evaporation of the percolate during collcc,tion. collection bottle may be housed in a humid chamber, or altctnatively, blank observations on a similar bottle containing water 9

IS:3085-1965
should be made and the necessary correction applied. The inflow measurement provides for evaporation loss an additional check.

It is very important that the specimen surface is carefully prepared by sand blasting or chiselling, as even a thin highly -impervious skin can result in considerable underestimation of the permeability.

8. CALCULATION 8.1 The coefficient of permeability

shall be caIculated as follows:

where K = coefficient of permeability in cm/set; Q = quantity of water in millilitres percolating over the entire period of test after the steady state has been reached;

A = area of the specimen face in cm*; T = time in seconds over which Q is measured; and H = ratio of the pressure head to thickness of specimen, both L expressed in the same units. 9. REPORT 9.1 The following information
specimen: a) Identification b) Particulars d) Duration

shall be included

in the report on each

mark of the specimen, of mix, of the test,

cj Age at commencement
of test, e) Size of specimen, f) Test pressure, g) Test temperature,

11) Coefficient of permeability j) Corrected coefficient

at test temperature,

and

of permeability

at standard temperature,

10

BUREAU
Headquaners: Manak Bhavan, Telephones: Regional Central 331

OF

INDIAN

STANDARDS

9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, 01 31, 331 13 75

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