Autoclam
// AUTOCLAM PERMEABILITY SYSTEM for the measurement of those surface
properties of concrete which influence its durability and performance in normal or
aggressive environments.
Developed by Structural Materials Research Group at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
AUTOCLAM measures air and water permeability and water absorption into the near-
surface zone of concrete and other building materials, including surface repair materials,
without causing damage. It is an exceptionally good tool for assessing the durability of these
surfaces when exposed to normal or aggressive environments.
AUTOCLAM can measure the above properties both on site and in the laboratory.
AUTOCLAM measures permeation properties to enable planned and timely maintenance,
RESULTING IN LOWER REPAIR AND LIFE CYCLE COSTS.
is particularly suited to assess the protection provided by surface coatings, membranes
and patch repairs
works equally well on vertical, inclined and horizontal surfaces
is non-destructive, easy to use and portable for site use
records and stores many results and downloads them onto your computer with ease to
permit you to perform analysis at a later time, thereby saving much time on site
is supported by internationally accepted research
The instrument is uniquely capable of carrying out all three vital tests, to allow complete and specifically relevant
testing of structures. The unique design of this instrument makes it very attractive to end users due to its ease of
use, range of measurements, recording of data and the ability to transfer data to a PC for future use.
BACKGROUND
Much of the trouble encountered with reinforced and
prestressed concrete today is due to the ingress of harmful
materials such as carbon dioxide, chlorides and sulphates.
In gaseous form or as solids dissolved in water, they
penetrate through the zone of concrete that is in contact
with the environment where major damage is done.
Therefore, knowledge of the penetrability characteristics of
the near-surface zone of concrete (and such building
materials) is of utmost importance, which can be obtained
through site measurement of gas and water permeability
and water absorption.
AUTOCLAM APPLICATION AREAS
Assessment of resistance to carbonation
Prediction of salt induced corrosion of steel in concrete
Determination of freeze-thaw deterioration and salt
scaling
Monitoring the effect of microcracking in building
materials
Assessment of sealants, coatings and hydrophobic
surface treatments
Measurement of the effect of curing of concrete
Measurement of the influence of special formworks,
such as controlled permeability formwork
Indirect prediction of abrasion resistance of surfaces
Determination of shrinkage and settlement cracking
Quality assurance of building materials
Compliance testing of durability specification
RANGE OF TESTING
Gas Permeability tests can be carried out on most building materials for which the coefficient of
-10
permeability is less than 10 m/s.
Both the Water Permeability and Sorptivity (water absorption) tests can be carried out on
impermeable materials to those in which the maximum rate of flow of water is 1 mL/minute. The
resolution in these tests is 1 microlitre.
01
Related to carbonation in concrete and sulphur dioxide and
AIR PERMEABILITY hydrogen sulphide penetration in building materials.
02
Important for freeze-thaw deterioration, salt scaling and
WATER chloride penetration of submerged structures.
PERMEABILITY
03
Strongly related to the intake of water borne salts and other
WATER ABSORPTION aggressive liquids by capillary suction in building materials
Functional purpose of the Autoclam
The Autoclam can be used to measure the air and water permeability and the water absorption (sorptivity) of
concrete and other porous materials, both in laboratory and on site. Using this equipment, the rate of decay of air
pressure is recorded for the air permeability test, whereas the volume of water penetrating into the concrete, at a
constant pressure of 0.02 bar and 0.5 bar are recorded for the sorptivity and the water permeability tests
respectively. These tests, which can be carried out quickly and effectively on site without prior planning, are
essentially non-destructive in nature and a skilled operator is not needed.
The components of the Autoclam
The Autoclam is supplied in a portable carrying case, and consists of two parts, the Autoclam body and its
electronic controller and data recording system. (Fig. 1a).
Autoclam Electronic controller
body
Fig. 1a Autoclam Permeability System
Fig. 1b Bonding type ring Fig. 1c Bolt on type ring
The Autoclam body comprises of the following components:
Base ring: One base ring that can isolate a test area of 50mm diameter (Fig. 1b) is supplied, which can be
bonded to the test surface. Additional rings can be ordered separately and are available with a variety of test
areas. Special bases (Fig 1c) for clamping to the test area rather than using adhesive are available.
Base unit or body: Inside the protective (yellow) cover the base unit accommodates –
an electronically controlled priming system to fill automatically the test area quickly
a reservoir to hold sufficient water for one test
a miniature variable volume pump and control valves to apply and maintain pressure and to measure the
volume of water or air passing through the test area
an accurate pressure transducer to record test pressures
all necessary connections to the electronic controller
The electronic control box contains all the custom designed electronic control and recording hardware. On its
front panel (Fig. 2) is a back-lit digital liquid crystal display screen, test selection keys, a reset key, and a twelve
pin circular socket to connect to the Autoclam base unit.
Fig. 2 Front panel of the control box
The control box houses an internal battery to permit use of the instrument on site without needing any external
electrical facility. Also supplied with the kit is a DC power supply unit to permit extended site use and to charge
the internal battery.
The rear panel of the unit contains a standard RS 232 serial port computer connection and a two pin circular
connector to connect a 12 to 24 volt DC supply or the mains power/charging unit and a power switch.
Technical details of the Autoclam
Pressure transducer
Capacity : 1 Bar
Overload without damage : 2 x rated range
Pressure Transducer Accuracy : ± 1% span
Operating temperature : 0 - 50 degrees C
Excitation voltage : 5.0 Vdc
Warm-up time : 30 seconds
Range of permeation properties
Air permeability index : 0 to 3.912 Ln(pressure)/min.
Absolute maximum rate of flow : 1mL/min
Resolution in water flow tests : 1L
General
Reservoir Capacity : 100ml
Battery Capacity : 2.2 AH
External Supply : 10-15 Volts DC
(for charging 15vDC required)
Supplier Information
Amphora NDT Ltd
David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5AG
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
Tel : +44 (0)28 9066 4964
Email : enquiries@amphorandt.com
www.amphorandt.com
