Abstract

This paper presents a review of 15 permeameters along with a study on the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the six most currently used methods. The precision of the latter and the relationships which exist between the methods were also investigated.

The review shows the need for selecting the type of permeameter according to the purpose of measurements taking into account their inherent limitations. It also shows the need for establishing a standard permeability unit.

Tests were made on laboratory molded specimens, on slab surfaces, and on cores extracted from slabs. Test results indicate that precision must be expressed in terms of percentage of the mean. For mixes containing more than 6 percent voids, there is a good correlation between: (a) permeability and voids; (b) field and laboratory tests; (c) air permeameters and water permeameters; (d) permeability and rate of flow. Greater values were obtained with permeameters using air and when tests were made on pavement surfaces.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
bituminous pavement, bituminous mixtures, permeability, coefficient of permeability, test methods, permeameters, significance of test, correlation between test methods, voids in mix, precision of test

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