Prof. D. N. Singh

BIBHUTI BHUSHAN DAS

Ph. D.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, India bibhuti.das@adityabirla.com

SOME STUDIES ON DETERMINATION OF PORE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE

Strength and durability of concrete is mainly dependent on its pore structure characteristics and porosity. As such, precise determination of the pore volume of concrete and its porosity becomes essential. Though, mercury intrusion porosimetery (MIP) has been employed by the researchers to achieve this, results have always been a matter of debate among the research fraternity. This necessitates critical evaluation of the results obtained from the MIP vis-a-vis those obtained from other methodologies. With this in view, investigations were carried out on different grades of concrete, by employing MIP and Helium gas pycnometry, in tandem. In addition to this, pore volume of these concretes was determined by soaking them in water and by applying the appropriate vacuum, and also with the help of non-conventional methods such as diffusion characteristics and thermal conductivity. Details of the investigations carried out by employing these methodologies, along with a critical synthesis and analysis of the results, have been presented in this dissertation.