Water permeability of cement paste

The permeability of cement paste to water was determined by using a triaxial permeability cell. A new technique of specimen conditioning, based on cyclic flow reversal, was used for the early attainment of equilibrium flow conditions. Effects of cement type, age, and silica fume _~dition were investigated. With the specimen conditioning used, equilibrium flow conditions were achieved on the first day of the test itself. The coefficient of permeability was found to decrease with an increase in the degree of hydration. The use of silica f~me was found to decrease the permeability. However, the permeability did not particularly depend upon the amount of silica fume ~dded.