Product
Measures the Air-Permeability
of the Cover Concrete
Swiss Standard Method SIA 262/1:2019
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PermeaTORR AC+
Measures the Coefficient of Air-Permeability kT of the Cover Concrete according to:
- Swiss Standard SIA 262/1:2019;
- Japanese Standard NDIS 3436-2: 2020;
- Argentine Standard IRAM 1892: 2022
Main Features
- Fast (2-6 minutes)
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Repeatable, Reproducible and Reliable
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Entirely Non-Destructive
- Compact and light (10 kg)
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Apt for Lab and Jobsite
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Fully Automatic Operation and Calibration
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PermeaTORR used in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe
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Results correlate well with carbonation rate, chloride ingress and other durability
characteristics 
New Features Added
- Active Cell (valves and sensors included)
- Better monitoring and control of
pressure → higher accuracy
- Lower and more stable Calibration pressure
- Embedded oil-less minipump
(reproducibility and longevity)
- Long hose (5 m)
- Operates at 24Vdc, safety +
battery operation possible
- Colour Touchscreen Computer
- Remote control via smartphone
- Data input typed, spoken and/or pictorial
- Data easily downloaded via USB port (Excel file)
- Optional moisture compensation
Typical Applications
- Durability Control of finished work
- Condition Assessment of old structures
- Realistic Service Life assessment
- Research
- Product Development
- Long-term monitoring
- Efficiency of curing & sealing methods and of Permeable Formwork Liners
- Assessment of Explosive Spalling under Fire
WHY MEASURE THE AIR-PERMEABILITY OF THE COVER CONCRETE?
As the defense barrier against penetration of aggressive species, (CO2,CI-,SO42-, etc) the permeability of the cover concrete has a decisive impact on the durability of concrete structures.
Concrete composition, type of formwork, concrete placement and consolidation and, especially curing are the main factors influencing the quality of the cover concrete; hence the need to measure it on the finished structure. Swiss Concrete Code SIA 262:2013 – “Concrete Construction” states: “The impermeability of the cover concrete shall be checked by means of permeability tests (e.g. air permeability measurements) on the structure or on core samples taken from the structure”.
The PermeaTORR family of instruments is designed precisely to serve that purpose: i.e., to measure the coefficient of permeability to air (kT) of the cover concrete in the lab and on site, in a fast, repeatable, reliable and entirely non-destructive manner.
Parallel measurements of kT and MIP (Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry) analysis have proven that kT measures the ‘openness’ (volume and size) of the pores’ structure of the concrete tested (kT and Pore Structure).
As a consequence, the kT results correlate well (Correlation with other Durability Tests) with those of other durability (‘penetrability’) tests, such as “Rapid Chloride Permeability” (ASTM C1202), Chloride Migration (EN 12390-18), Water Penetration (EN 12390-8), Capillary suction, Carbonation Rate, O2-Permeability (Rilem-Cembureau), South African OPI, etc. The kT measured on site on old structures provides an indication of the carbonation rate of the concrete.
The method is also applicable to other porous materials such as rock, stone, clay products, ceramics, etc.
Over 460 documents originated in 40 countries of 5 continents are a testimony of the widespread acceptance of the test method (see Bibliography List)
HOW THE AIR-PERMEABILITY IS MEASURED?
Vacuum is created inside the 2-chamber vacuum cell, which is sealed onto the concrete surface by means of concentric soft rubber rings, creating two separate chambers.
When the vacuum reaches 30 mbar, Electro-Valve 2 is closed and the pneumatic system of the inner chamber (green in the diagram) is isolated from the pump.
The air, present in the pores of the concrete beneath, flows through the cover concrete into the inner chamber, raising its pressure Pi.
The rate of increase of pressure Pi is directly linked to the coefficient of air-permeability of the cover concrete.
A pressure regulator maintains the pressure of the external chamber permanently balanced with that of the inner chamber (Pe=Pi). Thus, a controlled unidirectional flow into the inner chamber is ensured and the coefficient of permeability to air kT (m²) can be calculated with Equation (1), derived by modelling the test conditions.