Evaluation of Air Void System and Permeability of Latex-Modified Concrete by Image Analysis Method

Addition of latex to concrete is known to increase its durability and permeability. The purpose of this study is to analyze air void systems in latex-modified concretes using a reasonable and objective method of image analysis with such experimental variables as water-cement (w/c) ratios, latex contents (0%, 15%) and cement types (ordinary portland cement (OPC), high-early strength (HES) cement and very-early strength (VES) cement). The results are analyzed by spacing factor, air volume (content) after hardening, air void distribution and structure. Additionally, air void systems and permeability of latex-modified concrete (LMC) are compared by a correlation analysis. The results are as follows. The LMC of the same w/c ratio showed better air entraining (AE) effect than OPC with AE water reducer. The VES-LMC showed that the quantity of entrained air below $100{\mu}m$ increased more than four times. For the case of HES-LMC, microscopic entrained air between the range of 50 to $500{\mu}m$ increased greater than 7 times even in the absence of anti-foamer. Although spacing factor was measured rather low, the permeability of latex-modified concrete was good. It is construed that air void system does not have a considerable effect on the property of latex-modified concrete, but latex film (membrane) has a definite influence on the durability of LMC.