Pierre Gilbert' and J.

Hode Keyser ~

A Study of Currently Used Methods for Determining the Permeability

of Bituminous Mixtures

REFERENCE: Gilbert, Pierre, and Keyser, J. Hode, "A S t u d y of
Currently Used Methods for D e t e r m i n i n g the Permeability
of B i t u m i n o u s Mixtures," Journal of Testing and Evaluation,
JTEVA, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 1973, pp. 484-493.
ABSTRACT: This paper presents a review of 15 permeameters
along with a study on the advantages, disadvantages, and limita-
tmns 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 o n laboratory molded specimens, o n 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;
(e) 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 pa~'ement surfaces.
KEY WORDS: bituminous pavement, bituminous mixtures,
permeability, coefficient of permeability, test methods, permeame-
ters, significance of test, correlation between test methods, voids in
mix, precision of test
It is generally recognized that the durability of a bituminous
pavement depends on its permeability [1]. A mixture having a
high permeable voids content allows the passage of air and
water, which hardens the asphalt and causes premature cracking
of the pavement surface [2]. Permeability is also of prime im-
portance when bituminous mixtures are used to provide water-
tight linings as in the case of some dams and channels [3].
A recent survey among highways officials in the United States
and Canada showed that there is a need for a standardized
method for permeability testing [4].
Considering the importance of permeability of bituminous
mixtures and in view of the need for a standardized testing
method, the present study's main objectives are: (a) to identify
the apparatus currently used to measure the permeability of
bituminous mixtures; (b) to determine the advantages, the
disadvantages, and the limitations of a number of the most
widely used apparatus; (c) to obtain some indication on their
repeatability; and (d) to establish the correlation between
permeability measurements obtained with different types of
apparatus selected among the ones most widely in use.
Presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the American Society for
Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa., June 1973.
1Associate professor, Division of Transport, Ecole Polytechnique,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2 Director, City of Montreal Control and Research Laboratory, and
lecturer at Ecole Polyteehnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
,484
However, since the meanings of permeability and coefficient
of permeability are found to vary in the literature, the first step
in the present study shall consist of defining these two terms and
their relationship.
Definitions
Permeability
As defined by Wyckoff [5], permeability (K) is the volume of
fluid (Q) of unit viscosity (~) passing in unit time (st) through a
unit cross section (A) of a porous medium of length (L) under
the influence of a unit pressure gradient (a~).
Q~,L Q~,
K- or K / L -
AapAt AA/~t
Permeability is a characteristic of the structure of the porous
material and is, therefore, independent of the properties of the
fluid and the absolute pressure of the system.
Coefficient of Permeability
According to Darey's Law [6, 7], the coefficient of permeability
(k) is the rate of flow (q) through a unit cross section (A) of a
porous medium under the influence of the hydraulic gradient (i).
q
k-
Ai
I t should be noted that the coefficient of permeability is a
function not only of the properties of the porous material, but
also of the properties of the fluid [8, 9].
Furthermore, Darcy's law is valid only if the porous medium
is 100 percent saturated with fluid, if the flow is steady and
laminar, and if there is no volume change during the test.
Relationship Between Permeability and Coefficient of Permeability
Muskat [10] shows that permeability (K) is related to the
coefficient of permeability (k) as follows:
#
K=k~--
where
= viscosity of the fluid, g-s/em ~,
~ = unit weight of the fluid, g/era ~.
Since the viscosity (#) varies considerably with temperature,
it is necessary to express the permeability at a reference tem-
perature, by using the following equation:

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, GILBERT A N D HODE KEYSER: O N BITUMINOUS MIXTURES
T A B L E l--Classification of permeameters.
Site
Laboratory
Field
Permeameters
1 - - M c L a u g h l i n and Goets [11]
2 - - E k s e and Zia [12]
3 - - N C State University [13]
4--Electricit~ de France [14]
Aix-en-Provence
5 - - J . B6toux et G. Colombier
6--California Vallerga and
Hicks [I 6]
7 - - S t a t e R o a d D e p a r t m e n t of T h e test consists in measuring the flow rate of water (Q/t) in cmS/s passing
Florida, Division of Research
[17]
8 - - S t a t e of California, E. Zube
[181
9 - - I d a h o , Pyk, Hathaway,
Warnick [19]
10--Soiltest, Karl, W. J. and
Santucci, L. E. {20]
l l - - E l l i s and Schmidt [21]
12--Ontario 3, D. of H. O. [22]
13--Laboratoire R~gional
d ' A u t u n France [23]
14--Laboratoire R~giona|
ElectricitY-France,
F. Diernat [1~4}
15--E. V. Road Research
Society (Germany),
De K. Schutze [241]
1 V = Variable pressure gradient.
C = C o n s t a n t pressure gradient.
3 This a p p a r a t u s is a modification of Johns Manville's permeameter.
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485
w h e r e s u b s c r i p t tr i n d i c a t e s a r e f e r e n c e t e m p e r a t u r e , a n d s u b -
script t refers to the test temperature.
Fluid Head
S o m e p e r m e a m e t e r s h o w e v e r , i n s t e a d of m e a s u r i n g t r u e
Constant p e r m e a b i l i t y , m e a s u r e flow r a t e s u n d e r specific c o n d i t i o n s . T h e
Liquid definition given above cannot therefore, be always used in prac-
Variable tice, w h i c h m a k e s c o m p a r i s o n b e t w e e n s o m e p e r m e a m e t e r s less
meaningful.
Constant
Air
Variable Review o f Currently Used P e r m e a m e t e r s
Constant A l i t e r a t u r e s u r v e y [~] i n d i c a t e s t h a t 15 t y p e s of p e r m e a m e t e r s
Liquid
a r e a c t u a l l y in u s e i n N o r t h A m e r i c a a n d E u r o p e . T h e y a r e
Variable
d e s i g n e d t o b e u s e d f o r e i t h e r l a b o r a t o r y o r field t e s t i n g a n d
Constant c a n b e f u r t h e r classified a c c o r d i n g t o t h e f l u i d u s e d a n d t h e
Air p r e s s u r e d i f f e r e n c e ( h e a d ) a p p l i e d (see T a b l e 1).
Variable
Permeameters are usually designed for either laboratory or
T A B L E 2--Review of existing permeameters.
Fluid Used Site T e s t
Labora-
Principle Air Water tory Field
The test consists in measuring the volume of gas or air (Q) passing t h r o u g h a X V1
specimen (under a pressure difference, A, equal P~op -- Pbo~om) in unit time
measured at the m e a n pressure.
The test consists in building u p a pressure of 4 psi in an air chamber and to X V
measure the time in seconds required for the air to escape t h r o u g h the
specimen until the air pressure in the chamber drops from 4 psi to 0.5 psi.
The test consists in measuring the time of flow (t) in seconds for a constant X V
volume of water passing t h r o u g h a s a t u r a t e d specimen at 25°C.
a) T h e test consists in measuring the a m o u n t of water t h a t flows t h r o u g h the X V
specimen during 1 ~ h after a half hour imbibition period in the upper part
of the chamber with water.
b) T h e test consists in measuring the a m o u n t of water in m l / m i n t h a t will X C2
flow t h r o u g h a core specimen in which the air is evacuated by a partial
v a c u u m applied on both sides of the specimen during one hour to permit a
complete saturation with water; during the test, pressure is applied on the
specimen laterally.
T h e test consists in measuring at a constant pressure difference the a m o u n t of X C
water (Q) in cm~/s which flows through the sample. D u r i n g test. t h e lateral
air pressure should exceed the pressure within the specimen.
T h e test consists in measuring the a m o u n t of water passing through a specimen X V or C
which is fully s a t u r a t e d by using a back pressure.
X C
through the p a v e m e n t in one hour u n d e r a constant head of 4 in. of water.
The test consists in measuring the q u a n t i t y of water absorbed by 6 in. diameter X C
p a v e m e n t area during a 2 rain period under zero head.
The test consists in measuring the flow rate of air drawn through a p a v e m e n t X V V
or a specimen under the action of a partial v a c u u m created by the volume of
water displaced in the calibrated volumeter.
The test consists in measuring the air flow rate in m l / m i n through the pave- X C C
merit under a low positive constant pressure created by a falling head of
water.
The test consists in measuring the air flow rate in m l / m i n passing through the X C C
p a v e m e n t area, delimited by a glass dome, or through a specimen (for
laboratory test) under a low negative constant pressure, created by a falling
head of water.
The test consists in measuring the time in minutes for a constant volume of X V
water (20 ml) passing through the p a v e m e n t area (6 in. 4).
The test consists in measuring the time required for a p a v e m e n t surface of X V
260 cm ~ to absorb 100 cm 3 of water.
T h e test consists in measuring after ~ h of imbibition under a head of 2 m, the X V
fall of water in the graduated cylinder each ~ h for 1 ~ h. The coefficient of
permeability is calculated with the last hour discharge.
The test consists in measuring the time of flow for a constant volume (100 cm 3) X C
of alcohol water mixture to penetrate through a surface (I00 cm 2) under a
constant head of 30 cm of water.
486 JOURNAL OF TESTINGAND EVALUATION

field use. Most permeameters, however, can be provided with
special adaptors to make them usable in the laboratory as well
as on the construction site.
The principles and the characteristics of the various perme-
ameters are summarized in Table 2.
The permeameters are identified in the first column of Table 2.
A short description of the principle of their operation is given in
the second column. The remaining columns present further
information pertaining to the fluid used--air or water, constant
or variable head--as well as to whether the apparatus is designed
for field or laboratory application.
Although fifteen permeameters were identified at the outset of
this study, only some of the most representative ones were
retained for experimental investigation and evaluation.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitation of Some
Currently Used Permeameters
The permeameters studied in this investigation were selected
on the basis of a literature survey. According to this survey, the
most representative of the apparatus used currently for permea-
bility measurements are:
1. Laboratory--California water permeameter (Vallerga and
Hicks, No. 6 in Table 2)
2. Laboratory and field--Idaho air permeameter (2 types)
(Pyk, Hathaway, and Warnick, No. 9 in Table 2)
3. Field--soiltest air permeameter (Karl and Santucei, No. 10
in Table 2)
4. Field--California water permeameter (E. Zube, No. 8 in
Table 2)

TABLE 3--Characteristics of permeameters.

Permeameters Schema Characteristics of Permeameter Equations

Laboratory

Vallerga • Back pressure is used to obtain fully saturated and steady conditions. 2.3 aL log10 ~h~,
(water) Pl Pl " Ap: constant or variable, k =
A~
cm/s 1

K 2.3 a~ l o g l 0 ~h~, cm
M'D "[ P~[+Ap L 2 av=~
I VACUUM
Idaho ~ • The direction of air flow may be controlled: vertical flow. K O~
(air) t ~ I " a p is variable. L A a p ~ ' cm

3"D

Field
VACUUM
Idaho r--~l[---~ • The direction of air flow cannot be controlled: vertical and lateral flow. K Q~
(air) )~.~__.~.,~
I ~\~-~,~.~i
_, ~1 • Ap is variable. L A ~p At' cm

P a L m 'r 4"D
PI > PATM
Soiltest ~,l,~ • The direction of air flow cannot be controlled: verticai and lateral flow. K Qg
(air) ~.:.~Za4~'~f ~ ~r<~:~ •ap is constant.

Patm ~ 4'~3

Zube ° Fully saturated condition is not respected. Q

(water)~ ~ • Direction of flow cannot be Controlled. kz.b~ = --~-, cm~/mln

Q~
Kzube = - cm 2
PaLm 6"D

Ontario ° Laminar flow and fully saturated conditions are doubtful. Q

(water) • Steady state condition is not satisfied. kO~tario = ~/-, cm3/min

Q
Kontario em 2
palm 4"D = - - - -
A ~,~ A~ '

1 Equations above are for falling head method. Equations for constant head method are:

QL K Q~
k = - - and
h A At L Att T~ At
Diameter has been modified to 4 in. for our research.

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GILBERTAND HODE KEYSERON BITUMINOUSMIXTURES 487

5. Field--Ontario water permeameter (Johns Manville's, No.
12 in Table 2).
Since two variations of the Idaho air permeameter are currently
in use, both were investigated in this study. Therefore, a total of
six permeameters appears in the following tables.
Table 3 presents the principal features that characterize each
type of permeameter from the viewpoit of saturation, control of
the direction of flow, steady state condition, etc. The respective
equations proposed to determine the coefficient of permeability
(k) and the permeability (K), or both, are shown in terms of
parameters defined in previous paragraphs.
Table 4 completes Table 3 by listing the main advantages,
disadvantages, and limitations of the six permeameters investi-
gated. The advantages and disadvantages have been formulated
in terms of ease of operation, cost of instrument, capacity of
measuring true permeability, need of a skilled operator, etc.
As far as the limitations are concerned, most of the perme-
ameters give valid results for only a given range of permeability
values.
Further limitations to the successful use of some permeameters
are due to imposed conditions such as a maximum allowable
flow rate, a horizontal surface, limited manometer range, etc.
The capability of these permeameters to satisfy Darcy's law
was evaluated on the basis of four conditions that must be met
by a valid test: laminar flow, steady state, 100 percent saturation,
and no volume change during the test.
The conclusions concerning the conditions satisfied by the six
permeameters investigated are shown schematically in Table 5.
Practically all six permeameters satisfy laminar flow, 100 percent
saturation, and no volume change conditions. The steady state
condition seems to be the most difficult one to be satisfied.
Among the six permeameters selected for this study only two

TABLE 4--Advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.

Permeameters Schema Advantages Disadvantages Limitations

Laboratory

Vallerga • Measures the true coefficient of • Expensive instrument. • For very impervious material,
(water) permeability. . Requires skilled operator, possibility of volume change (con-
PI Pl "Darcy'e law could be controlled • Graph required to obtain K. solidatlon).
if Ap isconstant.
4"D r P2 ÷AP
I VACUUM
Idaho ~ .Easy to operate. .Expensive instrument. .Limited to very or extremely
(air) I ~ i * No water required; sample con- • Requires skilled operator, pervious material.
dition unchanged. *Graph required to obtain K. .Precision of test limited by the
3lID percision of manometer.

Field
VACUUM
Idaho ,~~ l k ~_ _ • No water required; field condition • Expensive instrument. • Falling head of water (diameter of
(air) unchanged, • Requires skilled operator, Graph discharge reservoir),
I ~ . , i~ ~[~i required to obtain K. *Not applicable to very to ex-
• Manometer precision at low tremely pervious material.
P at-hi ~ 4"D pressure.

PI > PATM
/
Soiltest ~-~J~ • Measures true permeability. • Sealing of the cup with grease. • Head of water (~p) limited by the
(air) ~vg"~l[~."~'~,~¥'-~:~"~--=~--~*~ll,
,r~ll • K obtained by direct reading, maximum flow rate of water
~.~ . . . . .$~ :;~,~.. , . •Easy to operate, through the test valve (80 ml/s).

P atm | 4"D

Zube • Not expensive. • Measure of flow rate. • Temperature of pavement (evapo-

(water) ~ ~ • Easy to operate. • Empirical value, ration).
• Cannot be used during wet
weather. Slope of site. N o t
P at:Ill ~"D applicable to impervious material.

Ontario ~ • Not expensive • Measure of flow rate. . Slope of site.

(water) • Empirical value. • Flow rate of water (23 ml/s).
~,~.~ ~I:.~?~i • Sealing problem.
patm 4"D

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488 JOURNALOFTESTINGANDEVALUATION
satisfy all four conditions for a valid application of Darey's law CHARACTERISTICS OF SLABS AND
and hence only these two m a y be said to measure true permea-
bility. As shown on Table 5, these two permeameters are: the LOCATION OF TEST SITES
California Vallerga and Hicks--laboratory water permeameter,
when in operation under constant head, and, the soiltest--Kari
. . . . . . ~, ,........... ~,
and Santucei field air permeameter.

TABLE 5---Capability to measure permeability according to Darcy's law.

~4"D Q
No
Volume
Change
Fluid Laminar Steady 100% During
Permeameters Used Head Flow State Saturated Test

California
Vallerga and Hicks W
Laboratory
V S NS1 S S~
A,
© A
C S S S S~ A
Idaho A V Ss NS1 S S
Pyk et al

Idaho A V
Field
Ss NS1 S S
Q Q
Pyk et al
Soiltest A C S S S S
Karl and Santucci
California W C S S D~ S PLAN
Zube
Ontario W V D~ NS~ D~ S
Dept. of H. Ont ~---- ASPH A LT

NOTE--S = Satisfied, NS = Not Satisfied.

1 Variable hydraulic gradient.
2 Possibility of consolidation for very impervious materials.
s Satisfied for low ressure (AP < 6 g/era~ approximately).
Doubtful.

Among the factors not considered in this study are those

related to: (a) the bituminous mixtures themselves (mix type,
grading, voids content, asphalt film thickness, uniformity of mix,
porosity; (b) the method of construction (placing method,
rolling equipment, temperature, weather, uniformity of con-
struction; (c) the properties of the bituminous layer (mat
thickness, variation in density, sealing materials, moisture
content; and (d) the condition of the surface (texture, sealing by
dust, wettability, action of traffic.)
I t must therefore, be emphasized that the scope of the present
study is limited to only a few of the factors influencing permea-
bility, namely those pertaining to the apparatus and to the
testing conditions.
Testing Program
Preparation of Test Specimens
All the tests were conducted with mixes having an aggregate
gradation and a bitumen content within the limits of the Asphalt
Institute specification for type IV mixes [25].
The mixes were prepared with crushed stone, glass microbaUs,
and bitumen of the 60/70 type. The purpose of replacing the
portion passing sieve No. 30 with glass balls was to improve the
pore uniformity; 60/70 type bitumen was used to lessen the
effect of flow during the tests.
The specimens for laboratory test were compacted with a
California Kneading Compactor whereas the slab for simulated
field tests were compacted with a one-ton steel roller.
FIG. 1---Characteristicsof slabs and location of test sites.
A typical section of a slab and the location of tests conducted
on the slab are shown in Fig. 1.
Sequence of Tests
The permeability tests were conducted in a prearranged order
(for example, Idaho, Soiltest, Zube, and Ontario) for the following
reasons:
a) Air permeameters (Idaho and Soiltest) were used first in
order to avoid saturation of test location with water.
b) Test with the Idaho permeameter preceded those with the
Soiltest apparatus, because a load (250 lb) has to be applied to
the suction cup to seal it to the pavement. Preliminary tests have
shown that this load causes an additional compaction of the
pavement and thus induces a change in its characteristics.
c) In testing the water permeameters, the Zube permeameter
was used first, because the water head which is applied is
negligible.
After the simulated field tests on the slab, cores were taken for
laboratory tests. For the reasons stated before air permeability
was determined first.
Test Procedures
Test procedures used are those described in the following
references: California Vallerga [16], Idaho Pyk, Hathaway,

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GILBERT AND HODE KEYSER ON BITUMINOUS MIXTURES 489

TABLE 6---Results of permeability tests at 25°C.

Test on Cores, Laboratory Test on Slab, Field

Water Air Air Water
Asphalt California California
Slab Content, Vallerga Idaho Idaho Soiltest Zube Ontario Voids
Number tr/~ K/L X 10-9, em K/L X 10 -9, em K/L X 10 -9, e m K/L X 10-9, em Ks X 10-9, cm~ Kont )< 10-9, cm2 Content, %

1 2.5 2.29 22.72 47.49 45.98 . . . . . . 10.09

2.47 20.73 71.60 75.37 10.48
72.44 72.07 138:il 597237
2:~ 72:46 94.53 94.46
. . . . . . 114.15 117.04 314:3+ 863:i+ ...
2 2.8 1.42 5.84 11.67 12.29 •.. 52.65 4.01
1.94 7.98 15.97 15.55 195.15 5.72
1.69 ... 22.71 23.67 78.21 ... 7.51
1.55 5.18 20.19 20.37 7.31
1.54 8.55 . -. 18.45 67:2i 90:8i 6.68
3 3.6 0.57 Not Suitable 8.21 8.52 14.18 118.12 7.11
1.03 11.46 11.33 19.30 126.56 7.71
0.91 13.45 13.61 19.01 162.41 7.23
1.01 13.61 13.03 21.01 168.50 7.35
1.05 16.87 16.64 28.06 213.16 7.83
4 4.5 0.0027 Not Suitable Not Suitable 0.0049 Not Suitable
0.0021 o:oi7 4:i3
o:~51o o.1194 0. 248 3.41

Warnick [19], Soiltest Kari, Santucci [20], California Zube [18], TABLE 7--Results of permeability tests on laboratory compacted specimens
at 25°C.
and Ontario Johns Manville [22]. The equations used for calcula-
tion of k, K / L , K , or Ko.t can be found in Table 3.
Permeability
Relationships Between the Methods Investigated Water Air
The comparative study of the selected testing methods is
California
based on experiments performed on slabs under simulated field Vallerga Idaho
conditions, on cores extracted from the slabs (see Table 6), and Asphalt K/L X 10-9, K/L >( 10-9, Voids
also, on laboratory compacted specimens (see Table 7). F r o m Mix Content em cm Content
these experiments, it is possible to look for a great n u m b e r of A 4.5 0.05 0.76 0.3
correlations between the factors affecting permeability and 0.16 1.80 0.2
values of permeability. F o u r groups of relationships were chosen B 2.8 1.44 8.96 3.6
on the basis of their particular significance as criteria of com- 1.17 8.90 3.8
1.37 9.75 4.5
parison between the various methods:
C 2.5 2.08 12.11 6.50
1. The permeability measurements obtained when water is 2.14 18.81 6.54
used as the permeating fluid are compared to the values o b t a i n e d 2.08 17.21 6.93
when the fluid used is air. This relationship is verified for tests
performed on slabs, on cores obtained from slabs, and also on
laboratory compacted specimens.
As a rule, the permeability values determined by the water
2. The measurements made under simulated field conditions
test are m u c h lower t h a n the ones obtained with the air test. I n
are compared to those made under laboratory conditions.
the case of the test performed on the compacted specimens, there
3. The results obtained by two permeameters both designed
for field application are compared. This relationship is verified is roughly a factor of eight between the water and air values.
for air permeameters and water permeameters. The results obtained on the cores, on the other hand, reveal an
4. The results obtained when influence of the voids content on even greater discrepancy between water and air values, roughly
the permeability is measured by the various permeameters. related by a factor as great as 14.
In the case of the tests performed on a slab (Fig. 4) the com-
Influence of the Fluid Used parison between the air (soiltest air permeameter) and water
The permeabilities obtained by the Vallerga water permeame- (Ontario water permeameter) values presents a difficulty due to
ter are compared to those obtained by the Idaho air permeameter the fact t h a t the results are expressed in different units. A strong
for tests performed on laboratory compacted specimens (Fig. 2), correlation does exist, though, between the absolute values
for experiments m a d e on cores extracted from slabs (Fig. 3), and measured.
for those on a slab (Fig. 4). The correlation m a y be seen to be Those correlations tend to weaken as the voids content
quite high in the first case (R = 0.95), less so in the cores (R = decreases, especially below an approximate lower limit of five
0.66), and v e r y strong in the third case (R = 0.98). percent.

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 490 JOURNAL O F TESTING AND EVALUATION

VALLERGA (wafer), K/L x I0 - 9 cm SOILTEST (atr)~ K / L x IO - 9 ¢m

(Laboratory) (field)
.9 I.~ 2.?
....
~
° .... II I . . . . . . l~l . ! .... II .... t .... o 50 ~oo ;50
C ......... i,,,~ ....... i ......... ¢

(g/L)va;,:r;a = O, , 0 5 . 0.,23 (K/L),doho

~ 250I"+ ~
oE mb
9 9.0
x

o 50( N=I2 ~ j r

~, 75c
=o
<
o

(X/t)Soiltest = 0,131 (glontarl o - 3.t

a2so (R = 0 . 9 8 ) ~ .
%

FIG. 2--Permeability testa performed on laboratory compacted specimens. FIG. 4--Permeability tests performed on slabs.

VALLERGA (water), K / L x 10 "9 cm

(Laboratory) The field values are nearly twice as high as the laboratory
~.2. . . . . . . . . ..!i~. . . . . . . . . ~., 3;o
I . . . . . . . . . . . . .
values, but the correlation beween the two sets of values is
strong (R = 0.89). The higher field values probably indicate
that a significant amount of lateral dispersion of the fluid is
taking place in the slab while the flow in the laboratory tested
cores is confined to a vertical path.
+ +
Relationship Between Results Obtained by Two Field Air
E
Permeameters
o

=, The results of a linear regression analysis obtained with the

o_
Soiltest (field) and Idaho (field) air permeameters show a
perfect correlation (R = .999) between measurements (Fig. 6).

Relationship Between Results Obtained by Two Field Water

N=7 Permeameters
The comparison between field water permeameters is based on
the Zube and Ontario permeameters (Fig. 7). A linear regression
"8( analysis shows a strong correlation (R = 0.95), although the
Zube permeameter is unreliable for measuring low permeabilities.
(K/L) = 1,655 • 0,016 ( K / L ) ~k It also appears that water permeameters give best results when
Vallerga Idoho
the voids content is above five percent.
(R : 0 . 7 6 )
IOC
Relation Between Permeability and Voids Content
The results obtained by the Vallerga water permeameter and
FIG. 3--Permeability tests performed on cores extractedfrom slabs. bythe Idaho andSoiltest air permeameters have been analyzed in
terms of the voids content of the various mixes in order to
Influence of Field and Labora~ry Conditions investigate the effect of voids content upon the measured permea-
bility.
In order to appreciate the effect of field and laboratory condi-
The voids content was calculated by using the following
tions, the Idaho air permeameter was used under both of these
equation:
conditions (Fig. 5) with the field condition being simulated by
tests performed on slabs, Vv percent = lO0 (1 - G/Gm)

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GILBERT AND HODE KEYSER ON BITUMINOUS MIXTURES 491

IDAHO ( a i r } , K / L x I0 - 9 cm ZUBE (water), gzub~ x IO-9 cm2

(Laboratory on cores) (field)
0 I10
30 60 90
. . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . I ....

~p {K/Llldoh 0 c°re = 0.6:55 (K/Llldaho slab - 4 . 4 5 8 (K)zube = 0.35 (K)ontori 0 . 24.95

,+
+ (R = 0,95)

cJE
=,
E _o
~ 5o .o

o~
~8
o

_o
<~
N = 8
o
N=6 ~

FIG. 7--Corrdation between field water permeameters.

F I G . 5---Correlation between laboratory and field conditions (Idaho
permeameter).
where:
Vv = Voids content in percent
SOlLTEST (air) , K / L x IO - 9 cm
G = Bulk specific gravity of compacted mixture using the
(field) ASTM Test for Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted
50 ioo 15o
Bituminous Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry
" ' ' ' . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . I . . . . Specimens (D 2726--71T)
~-÷ G m = Maximum specific gravity of mixture using the ASTM
-k~ (K/L)Soiltest = 1.017 ( K / L ) l d o h 0 - 0 , 2 6 9 Test for Maximum Specific Gravity of Bituminous
Paving Mixtures (D 2041-71)

Test results are summarized on Tables 6 and 7. The simple

regression curves (Figs. 8, 9, and 10) show a good to excellent
correlation (0.71 ~< R ~< 0.97) between the measured permea-
o
bility and the voids content. The excellent correlation observed
with the air permeameter (Idaho) indicates that air, which has a
much lower viscosity than water, flows more freely through the
+
pores and is less affected by pore geometry.
'~ 9c The measurements obtained with the water permeameters
present a great standard error, and these measurements cease to
D N = 14 be meaningful when the voids content drops below four percent.

Precision o f Tests: Results and Discussion

In order to obtain some indication on the precision of various
permeameters, some tests were repeated two or twelve times on
identical specimens or at identical locations on the slabs. The
results summarized on Table 8 indicate that a) the precision of
the tests depends on the magnitude of the permeability or of the
flow rate, the range of the variation increasing with the measured
values; and b) more consistent evaluation of the precision is
obtained when the range of variation is expressed as a percentage
FIG. 6---Correlation between field air permeameters. of the mean.

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492 JOURNAL OF TESTING AND EVALUATION

SOILTEST (air), K/L x 10-9cm

VALLERGA (woter) l K/L x IO - 9 cm
(field)
( Labo~'atory )
: . . . . . . . . . ~o . . . . . . . . . .,o . . . . . . . . . ;o .... o ,9 t.8 2.7
" " " • ..... i'' . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . i ''='''' - •
"Jr- +.,p

+
I÷

6,o \. 4-
+
-,F-f-
Z
+ ~.+ +
++4- + +
Z
+
~ 9.0 3 9,¢

+
N = 22 + +

t2.0

N = 15

(K/L)vallerg a = 0.19 (Vv) +

(R = 0.7I)
(K/L)Soiltest = 13.25 (Vv)-3.55(Vv) 2 +o,2e(vv) 3- 2.49

{R = 0.97)
FIG. lO---Correlation between voids conSent and laboratory u ~ e r
18.C permeameter.

FIG. 8--Correlation between voids conSent and field air permeame~er. TABLE 8--Repeatabillty of permeabiliSy tests.

Permeability or Rate
of flow
IDAHO (air) , K / L x 10 - 9 cm
(Loboratory) Number Range of R
? i~ 21
of Tests ~ X 100
. . . . . . . . . 'l . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . i .... Test Method Tests, n Mean, X Results, R X

Idaho 2 47.30 0.59 1.3

I ; ~ (K/L)idah ° = 2.3 (Vv) ÷ 0,48 Air Permeability 2 67.06 0.09 0.1
K / L X 10-9, cm
= 0,96} Soiltest 3 117.48 2.30 2.0
3 96.66 1.98 2.1
Air Permeability 3 72.73 0.30 0.4
K / L X 10-9, cm 3 46.07 0.48 1.0
~ + California Zube 6 72.1 10.0 13.9
Flow of water, cc/min 6 160.3 19.9 12.4
++
Ontario 12 453.0 62.8 13.9
Flow of water, ec/min

N = 8 The between-test variations shown in Table 8 h a v e been

observed with mixes having a high voids content (around 10.5
percent). For mixes of lower voids content or for different test
conditions, the precision of the various test methods m a y differ
significantly. As mentioned previously, a more complete and
well-planned experimental program m u s t be designed to e v a l u a t e
the effects of most of the factors t h a t m a y influence the precision
of tests.

Summary and Conclusions

t. Fifteen permeameters presently in use h a v e been identified

FIG. 9--Correlalion beSween voids conSent and laboratory air permeame~er. and described. F i v e of the most extensively used ones were

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 GILBERT AND HODE KEYSER ON BITUMINOUS MIXTURES
selected for an experimental investigation. Their basic principles
of operation, as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and
limitations h a v e been described briefly.
2. E v a l u a t i o n of the relative merits and a comparison of the
performance of different testing methods underlines the need for
establishing a standard permeability unit. Since it is preferable
t h a t such comparison remain as m u c h as possible independent of
particular conditions, it is suggested t h a t the expression K / L
(cm) be considered as a standard way of representing
permeability.
3. This study demonstrates t h a t the purpose of which a given
p e r m e a m e t e r is selected m u s t be clearly defined and understood.
I n some cases it m a y be quite satisfactory to e v a l u a t e the rate of
flow or seepage, while in other cases the knowledge of the actual
permeability of the material is m a n d a t o r y . Some practical limita-
tions (temperature, weather, inclined surfaces, etc.) or fore-
seeable factors (voids content, permeability range, etc.) m a y be
d e t e r m i n a n t in the selection of a permeameter.
4. I t has been emphasized t h a t a great n u m b e r of factors m a y
influence the determination of permeability and t h a t the experi-
m e n t a l investigation conducted within the scope of this s t u d y
has evaluated the influence of only a few of these factors.
Nevertheless, some significant and interesting facts have resulted
from this investigation regarding the capabilities of the selected
permeameters:
a) All the permeameters investigated have some inherent
limitations.
b) T h e conditions for the applicability of D a r c y ' s law are
seldom completely satisfied.
c) According to tests repeated for t h e sake of obtaining some
indication on their precision, it appears t h a t - - a t least for the
particular conditions under which the tests were p e r f o r m e d - -
the range of variation increases with the measured values, and
a more consistent evaluation of the precision m a y be expressed
in terms of the variation represented as a percentage of the
mean.
d) The correlation between the results obtained with perme-
ameters that can only indicate flow rates and those obtained
with permeameters that measure true permeability is also
generally very good.
e) Air permeameters give significantly greater permeability
values than do water permeameters.
f) A goodcorrelation exists between the results obtained in the
laboratory (on cores or compacted specimen) and those ob-
tained in the field (on slabs). The values of the measured
permeability are greater, however, in the second case, where
the permeating fluid is free to disperse laterally.
g) A good to excellent correlation was observed between the
measured permeability values and the voids content of the
mixes above an approximate minimum of five percent voids
content.
5. F u r t h e r studies are needed to establish the precision of
different test methods.
Acknowledgments
T h e authors wish to thank Dr. E t i e n n e J. Windisch, Eng.,
professor, D e p a r t m e n t of Civil Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique,
for his contribution in the preparation of this publication.
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493
Acknowledgments are also m a d e to National Research Council
of Canada for their financial support through research grant
No. A 4119,
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