International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 04 Issue: 12 | Dec-2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1343 Evaluation of saturated conditioned concrete cubes by Initial surface absorption test M.N. Balakrishna 1* , Fouad Mohammad 2 , Robert Evans 2 , and M.M. Rahman 2 1 School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Research scholar, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK 2 School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT: The concrete deterioration is one of the most serious problem at all regions of the world. In fact, the construction materials suffer some degree of deterioration with time. The problems actually occur when deterioration occurs to an unsatisfactory degree. In such cases, the concrete is not durable enough for the environment in which it is place. The deterioration of reinforced concrete usually involves movement of aggressive gases or liquids from the surrounding environment into the concrete through the near surface concrete. In turn followed by physical or chemical actions in its internal structure. The near surface concrete is highly heterogeneous in nature, due to the relative movement of cement paste and aggregates during the compaction of fresh concrete and bleeding of mix water during the early stages of hydration of cement. Therefore, there exists a porosity gradient in the near surface concrete. The transport of the various aggressive substances into the concrete depends on the quality of the near surface concrete and on its permeation characteristics. Therefore, there is a need to quantify the permeation characteristics of the near surface concrete, which is of paramount importance. The present research work made an attempt to assess the water absorption of concrete by Initial surface absorption test (ISAT) in ordered to interpret different concrete mixtures design, which gives a test method for structural health assessment by a suitable correlation between Initial surface absorption value, and Time. Thus, the objectives of this present research are threefold. First, this research will examine the influence of conditioning such as saturated condition on the results of ISAT performed on concrete cubes with different mixtures proportion. In which slump, and w/c ratio value was vary with constant compressive strength as in the First case and compressive strength, and w/c ratio value varied with constant slump as in the Second case. Seventy-two concrete cubes (100 mm 3 ) with Grades of concrete ranges from 25 to 40 N/mm 2 were prepared and tested using ISAT. First, the non-destructive test parameters were relate to different mixtures proportion in ordered to characterize mixtures design. Second, this research will examine the influence of the ISAT value on time. Third, this research will also aim to develop non-destructive charts for different concrete mixtures proportion. Thus, the ISAT due to the developed chart gave a better value. This implied that the developed chart was more suitable for normal strength concrete in turn minimising inaccuracy in non-destructive tests. It has concluded from the results that, in saturated conditioned concrete cubes, the ISAT value was increase in all designed mixtures type at initial time as when compared to longer time duration. Furthermore, the ISAT value was increase at initial time in lower compressive strength and constant slump as well as the ISAT value goes on reduced with higher compressive strength and constant slump value. In addition, its confirmed results that, the ISAT value was increase at initial time with higher compressive strength and varied slump value as when compare to later time duration with same higher compressive strength as well as varied slump value. Furthermore, the ISAT value was increase at initial time in lower compressive strength and constant slump as well as the ISAT value goes on reduced with higher compressive strength, constant slump value, and at later time duration. Keywords: Concrete, Mix proportion, Grade of concrete, Sample conditioning, Slump, Water-cement ratio, Moisture content, Initial surface absorption, INTRODUCTION The concrete is an extremely versatile construction material, which seems to be considerable use in construction industry at worldwide [l]. In the majority of cases, it is entirely satisfactory and unfortunately, in a small proportion of concrete, problems occur, either because the concrete is not adequate for the particular conditions of use, or because it does not achieve its full potential [2]. Concrete deterioration is not a new problem [3], but it has become more prevalent in recent years [4]. An extensive use of concrete, changes in material properties, construction techniques, and design approaches have resulted in a large amount of concrete of uncertain durability [5]. The surface is seems to be as the weakest part of the concrete because it is here that aggressive agents attack [6]. The surface also has different properties from the bulk of the concrete, which makes it more vulnerable [2]. The surface is also important for aesthetic reasons. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to recognise that, concrete deterioration is not the result of an external attack such as faulty or unsuitable materials may be included during the mixing process, either deliberately, or by accident. Because of this, a great deal of