Title of Invention	"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A MEASURE OF PERMEABILITY OF A MATERIAL"
Abstract	Apparatus (10) for measuring permeability of a material (12) includes a substantially constant vacuum source (14) coupled via duct (11) to a fluid capacitance vessel (16) which contains pressure transducer (18) coupled by conductors (20) to an amplifier and display (22) for monitoring the source (14). Fluid impervious disc (24) is provided with placement on surface (26) on the material (12) to define, between disc (24) and surface (26) a fluid flow cavity (28). Disc (24) is coupled by conduit (32) to a restriction tube (30) which provides a high impedance to fluid flow. An opposite end of the restriction tube (30) is in fluid communication with vessel (16). A transducer (34) is coupled across restriction tube (30) to provide a measure of fluid flow. Fluid impervious seal (60) forms a seal about the periphery of disc (24) and extends radially outwardly on the surface (26). Assuming the material (12) has some degree of permeability, air will be able to permeate through the material (12) from beyond the periphery of the seal (60) and to the cavity (28). This flow produces a steady state of pressure differential across the tube (30) which is detected by transducer (34) and which can be read form display (38), to provide a measure of permeability.

Title of Invention

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A MEASURE OF PERMEABILITY OF A MATERIAL"

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for measuring permeability of a material (12) includes a substantially constant vacuum source (14) coupled via duct (11) to a fluid capacitance vessel (16) which contains pressure transducer (18) coupled by conductors (20) to an amplifier and display (22) for monitoring the source (14). Fluid impervious disc (24) is provided with placement on surface (26) on the material (12) to define, between disc (24) and surface (26) a fluid flow cavity (28). Disc (24) is coupled by conduit (32) to a restriction tube (30) which provides a high impedance to fluid flow. An opposite end of the restriction tube (30) is in fluid communication with vessel (16). A transducer (34) is coupled across restriction tube (30) to provide a measure of fluid flow. Fluid impervious seal (60) forms a seal about the periphery of disc (24) and extends radially outwardly on the surface (26). Assuming the material (12) has some degree of permeability, air will be able to permeate through the material (12) from beyond the periphery of the seal (60) and to the cavity (28). This flow produces a steady state of pressure differential across the tube (30) which is detected by transducer (34) and which can be read form display (38), to provide a measure of permeability.

Full Text	Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measurement of permeability or strain in permeable materials. Background of the Invention Permeability of a material can be defined as a rate of which a fluid flows through the material. The measurement of the permeability of materials, for example concrete, is of importance in determining the suitability of the material for various purposes such as fluid containment and structural life. Changes in permeability with stress presents a / method of measuring strain in permeable material Generally, the known methods of measurement of permeability measure a change in pressure of a gas applied to the material and/or depth of liquid penetration in the material. This method is known as the pulse test method. This method takes a substantial time to run and may involve the preparation of special samples. For example, the contemporary construction industry relies heavily on laboratory tests carried out on samples taken during a pour of a large concrete slab or structure to ascertain the strength of the concrete for further construction to be carried out. A steady state test method is a another, more desirable, method and is employed in the current specification. Further, the steady state test method is practical for the measurement of strain. In situ testing is a further desired attribute to reduce time taken and cost US Patent No. 4,979,390 describes one method and apparatus for testing relative permeability of materials. In general terms, this requires the application of a partial vacuum to a small test area on a piece of concrete and measuring the rate of decay of the vacuum to provide an index of permeability. A limitation of the method and apparatus described is that it is restricted to a measurement of relative permeability and only a single test surface of relatively small area. International Application No PCT/AU94/00325 (WO 94/27130) Tulip Bay discloses a monitoring apparatus that can be used to detect faults or cracks in the surface of or within a structure or component The monitoring apparatus described includes a substantially constant vacuum source connected hi series with a high impedance to fluid flow device that hi turn is connected with one or more minuscule flaw sensing cavities formed on the surface of or within a structure. A differential pressure transducer is connected across the high impedance device to monitor the vacuum state of the minuscule flaw sensing cavity or cavities. A pressure differential transducer monitors the change in vacuum condition between the minuscule flaw sensing cavities and the constant vacuum source. Accordingly, if there is a change in vacuum condition in the cavities which can arise from the formation and propagation of a crack, the change is detected by the transducer. Cracks of a length down to 250 micron have been detected using a constant vacuum source of only 200KpA below atmospheric reference. The apparatus in Tulip Bay is particularly well suited to incorporation in embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly the contents of Tulip Bay are incorporated herein by way of reference. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost in situation, method and apparatus for providing a measurement of the permeability of a material. It is a further object to provide a means of method and apparatus for measuring strain in permeable material by means of change in permeability with applied stress. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for a measure of the permeability of a material including at least: a substantially constant fluid pressure source; at least one fluid impervious member for juxtaposition and sealing with the material in a manner to define, between said member and said material a corresponding fluid flow cavity; a high fluid flow impedance means providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said fluid flow cavity; sealing means for sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the fluid impervious member to define a fluid impervious region between said fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of the material; and, means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said high fluid flow impedance means to provide a measure of the permeability of said material. Preferably said at least one fluid impervious member includes a planar article for placement on said material. Preferably said at least one fluid impervious member includes a sleeve disposed in a blind hole formed in the material, the sleeve extending for a portion of the length of the hole from the surface of the material and having a down-hole end spaced above a bottom of the hole, the sleeve forming a seal against an interior surface of said portion of the length of the hole, wherein said corresponding fluid flow cavity is defined between the down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole. Preferably said apparatus further includes a fluid impervious blank of a diameter less than the diameter of the hole and of a length less than a remainder of the length of the hole between said down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole, said blank deposited in said hole prior to the insertion of said sleeve. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a measure of permeability of a material including at least: a substantially constant fluid pressure source; at least one first fluid impervious member each for sealed placement on the material to define, between each first member and said material, a corresponding first fluid flow cavity; first high fluid flow impedance means providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said first fluid flow cavities; first sealing means for sealing an area of a surface of said material surrounding said first fluid impervious members to define respective fluid impervious regions between said first fluid flow cavities and a free unsealed surface of the material; at least one second fluid impervious member each for sealed placement in respective holes formed in said material in a manner to define, between said second members and a bottom of said holes, a corresponding second fluid flow cavities; second high fluid flow impedance members providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said second fluid flow cavities; second sealing means for sealing an area of the surface of the material surrounding the second fluid impervious member to define respective fluid impervious regions between said second fluid flow cavities and said free surface of the material; and means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and second high fluid flow impedance means to provide a measure of the permeability of said material. According to the present invention there is also provided a method for obtaining a measure of the permeability of a material including at least the steps of: providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source; coupling said constant fluid pressure source through respective high fluid flow impedances to one or more fluid flow cavities formed on/or in the material; forming respective fluid impervious seals on/or in the material about each fluid flow cavity to define corresponding fluid impervious regions between each fluid flow cavity and a free surface of the material; and, monitoring measuring steady state differential pressure across said high fluid flow impedances to provide a measure of permeability of the material. According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for providing a measure of strain in a permeable material, said apparatus including at least: a substantially constant fluid pressure source; first and second fluid impervious members for juxtaposition at different locations and sealing with said material in a manner to define, between said members and said material, corresponding first and second fluid flow cavities; first and second high fluid flow impedances providing high impedance fluid communication between respective first and second cavities and said pressure source; said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said first high fluid flow impedance, and said second cavity coupled in series at a second node to said second high fluid flow impedance; sealing means for sealing areas of a surface of the material surrounding said first and second fluid impervious members to define a fluid impervious region between said first and second cavities and a free surface of said material; and, means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and second nodes to provide a measure of strain in said material. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of obtaining a measure of strain of a material, said method including at least the steps of: providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source; coupling said constant fluid pressure source through respective first and second high fluid flow impedances; forming first and second fluid flow cavities on or in said material; forming respective fluid impervious seals on/or in said material about said first and second fluid flow cavities to define corresponding fluid impervious regions between each of said fluid flow cavities and a free surface of said material; coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said first cavity; coupling said second high fluid flow impedance in series at a second node to said second cavity; and measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second nodes to provide a measure of strain in said material. In one embodiment, said high impedance includes a very long length of small bore duct which allows a minuscule flow of fluid. In an alternate embodiment, said high impedance comprises a permeable material such as sintered glass, an orifice or point restriction such as a needle valve being considered far too impracticable due to the minuscule flow required. The magnitude of the high fluid flow impedance should be sufficiently high as to produce significant pressure drop across the high impedance in response to minuscule flow through the high impedance. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with the first part of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure 1 for providing surface permeability measurement in a bulk material; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure 1 for providing matrix to surface permeability measurement in a bulk material; Figure 3 A is an enlargement of portion A of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure 1 for providing surface to surface permeability measurement in a sample of material; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure 1 for providing material to matrix permeability measurement in a bulk material. Figure 6 illustrates application of the apparatus of figure 1 for measurement of the permeability of a paint film. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a portion of the embodiment depicted in Figure 7;and, Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an application of the embodiment shown in Figure 7. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1-3 A, an embodiment of the apparatus 10, in accordance with the first part of the present invention, for providing a measure of the permeability of a material 12 includes a substantially constant fluid pressure source which, in this embodiment is in the form of a constant vacuum source 14 (a pressure source at a sub-atmospheric pressure). The vacuum source 14 is coupled via duct 11 to a fluid capacitance vessel 16 which contains a first pressure transducer 18 coupled by electrical conductors 20 to an amplifier and display 22 for monitoring the constant vacuum source 14. Throughout this specification the term "fluid pressure source" is intended to denote a source of fluid at any particular absolute pressure. A first fluid impervious member in the form of a fluid impervious disc 24 is provided for placement on a surface 26 of the material 12 to define, between the disc 24 and the surface 26 a first fluid flow cavity 28 (see Figure 2). The disc 24 is coupled to the vessel 16 and thus to the constant vacuum source 14 via a high impedance fluid flow means in the form of a length of a small bore duct such as restriction tube 30 (typical dimensions being less than 0.30mm bore and length in excess of 3 metres) . That is, one end of the impedance 30 is coupled to the vessel 16 with the other end coupled via a conduit 32 to the disc 24. A second pressure transducer 34 is coupled across the impedance 30 and coupled by conductors 36 to an amplifier and digital display 38. A second fluid impervious member in the form of a sleeve 40 is coupled via a conduit 42 and high fluid flow impedance in the form of restriction tube 44 of the same dimensions as tube 30 to the vessel 16 and thus the constant vacuum source 14. Pressure transducer 46 is effectively coupled across the fluid impedance 44 between the sleeve 40 and the vacuum source 14. Additionally the transducer 46 is coupled by electrical conductors 48 to an amplifier and digital display 50. The sleeve 40 is disposed in a blind hole 52 formed hi the material 12. The sleeve 40 extends from the surface 26 of the material for a portion of the length of the hole 52 so that a down-hole end 54 is spaced from the bottom 56 of the hole 52. The sleeve 40 forms a seal against the interior surface of the portion of the hole 52 for which it extends (the gap shown between sleeve 40 and the interior surface of hole 52 in Figure 3A is for clarity of illustration only, the gap does not actually exist). A fluid flow cavity 58 is defined between the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve and the bottom 56 of the hole. This cavity is placed in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14 by conduit 42 which couples to an axial bore 59 provided in the sleeve 40. The cavities 28 and 58 are configured so that the surface area of the material under disc 24 in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14 is substantially the same as the • surface area of the hole 52 between down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40 and the bottom 56 of the hole 52, inclusive of the area of the bottom face of the hole 52. Associated with the disc 24 and thus the first fluid flow cavity 28 is a fluid impervious seal 60. The seal 60 forms a seal about the periphery of the disc 24 and extends radially outwardly on the surface 26 of the material 12. The seal 60 thus forms on the surface 26 of the material a fluid impervious area or region 62 between the fluid flow cavity 28 and the "free surface" of the material 12. The term "free surface" refers to any surface of the material 12 that is open to fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere/environment without third party impediment, this can include the surface of a hole or cavity formed in the material which is in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere/environment, (such as depicted in Figure 5 as explained in greater detail below). A second fluid impervious seal in the form of a seal 64 forms a seal about the periphery of the sleeve 40 at surface 26 and extends radially outwardly on the surface 26 of the material 12. The seal 64 forms a fluid impervious area or region 66 between the fluid flow cavity 58 associated with the sleeve 40 and the free surface of the material 12 (refer Figures 3 and 3 A), with the radial width of seals 60 and 64 being substantially the same. When the apparatus 10 is applied to the material 12 it will be appreciated that after an initial transient period a constant (steady state) vacuum will exist in the fluid flow cavity 28 beneath disc 24 and the fluid flow cavity 58 beneath the sleeve 40. This creates a pressure differential between the cavities 28, 58 and the surrounding environment. Assuming that the material 12 has some degree of permeability, air is able to permeate through the material 12 from beyond the fluid impervious areas/regions 62, 66 to the fluid cavities 28,58 respectively. This flow produces a steady state differential pressure across the corresponding high fluid impedance restriction tubes 30,44 which will be displayed on corresponding displays 38 and 50. These displays can be directly calibrated into a scale of permeability. Accordingly the apparatus 10 can provide a measure of the specific permeability of the material 12. Particularly the apparatus 10 can provide either a measure of specific surface permeability via disc 28, of or specific matrix permeability via sleeve 40, or both. In order to reduce the time for stabilisation of the vacuum state in the bottom of hole 52 at the initial application of the apparatus 10 when used to provide a measure of matrix permeability, a blank 68 can be provided for insertion into the hole 52 between the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40 and the bottom of 56 of the hole. The blank 68 is of a diameter less than that of the hole 52. The purpose of the blank 68 is simply to reduce the volume of the portion of the hole constituting the fluid flow cavity 58 thereby reducing the time required to evacuate the bottom of the hole prior to the commencement of the permeability measurement. In order to produce highly accurate and meaningful results with repeatability, it is preferable to optimise the ratio of the fluid impervious areas or regions 62/66 with the surface areas of the material within cavities 28, 58. Take for example the arrangement shown in Figure 2. If the fluid impervious area 62 is too small then a fluid flow path between the cavity 28 and the free surface of the material 26 will be too short to provide an accurate measurement of the permeability of the material. That is, there will not be sufficient fluid flow path length in the material 12 to provide an accurate reading of permeability. It is known however that after a certain distance or radius has been reached from the periphery of the cavity 28 there is insignificant difference in permeability measurement by extending the fluid impervious area 62. The ratio between the outer diameter of the area 62 and the cavity 28 can be found empirically for a particular material. 6:1 is a typically ratio. Additionally, it is preferable that the areas covered by the seals 60 and 64 are approximately the same. In general application, a plurality of discs 24 and/or sleeves 40 with corresponding seals 60/64 can be arranged in line groups connected to one high fluid flow impedance or as simultaneous surface and matrix tests connected to two or more high fluid flow impedance restriction tubes. Of course the scale of unpedance needs to be compensated if the use of multiple cavities alters the sum total exposed area of the cavities 28 and 58 The apparatus depicted in Figure 1 is configured to provide a measure of both surface to surface permeability of the bulk material 12 using the disk 24 as shown in Figure 2 and surface to matrix permeability of the bulk material 12 using the sleeve 40 depicted in Figure 3. It is however not essential that the apparatus 10 be configured to simultaneously take both surface to surface and surface to matrix permeability measurements. Either one of the high impedance restriction tubes 30 or 44 can be de- coupled so that the apparatus 10 takes the measurement of only surface to surface permeability or surface to matrix permeability of the bulk material 12. As mentioned above, International Application No. PCT/AU94/00325 (Tulip) describes an monitoring apparatus particularly well suited for incorporation into embodiments of the present invention. With particular reference to Figure 1, the impedances 30,44, transducers 34,46 and displays 30 and 50 may all take the form of that described in Tulip Bay. The particular advantage of incorporating the Tulip Bay apparatus is that it enables detection of fluid flow well below the lower limits of conventional mass flow meters. Further, if desired, the sensitivity of the apparatus can be increased infinitely by increasing the impedance of the high fluid flow impedances. Further to this, in a further application, the apparatus 10 can be configured, as illustrated in Figure 4, to take surface to surface permeability measurement of a sample unit of material such as a brick 70. (In this embodiment the brick is illustrated as being provided with a plurality of apertures 71, but the provision of apertures is not necessary. The embodiment is equally applicable to a solid brick). In this application, a fluid impervious means in the form of a rectangular sheet 24' that is sealed to outer peripheral surface 72 of the brick 70 with a perimeter fillet of an adhesive 74. A corresponding cavity (hidden) is defined between the sheet 24' and the underlying area of the surface 72 of the brick 70. The cavity beneath the sheet 24' is in fluid communication with the high fluid impedance 30 via conduit 32', ie, in terms of Figure 1, the disc 24 is replaced with the sheet 24'. The entirety of the remainder of the surface 72 of the brick 70 including the surface area of the apertures 71 but excluding a rectangular area 26' is sealed with a sealing compound.' The area 26' is spaced a distance from the sheet 24' and is of the same area as the surface area of the brick 70 beneath the sheet 24' which is in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14. The operation of the apparatus 10 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 allows a measure of the permeability of a surface layer of the brick 70 between sheet 24' and area 26'. Figure 5 illustrates a configuration for making matrix to matrix permeability measurement in a bulk material 12. In comparison to the apparatus 10 depicted in Figure 1 and the arrangement in Figure 3, the configuration in Figure 5 differs in that the disc 24 is not used,, the free surface 26 is the surface area of a lower part 76 of a hole 78 formed in the bulk material 12 and, the seal 64 seals a greater surface area of the material 12. In this regard, the seal 64 extends along the surface of the material 12 from the sleeve 40 for a distance substantially greater than the distance between holes 52 and 78. Also, the seal 64 extends for a portion of the length of the hole 78 to the lower portion 76. However, the seal 64 does not completely block the hole 78 and a communication channel 80 is left or otherwise formed to allow fluid communication between the surface 26 of the bottom portion of the hole 76 and the atmosphere. The area of the surface 26 is approximately the same as the surface area of the hole 52 beneath the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40. Of course matrix to matrix permeability measurement of a sample of material could be conducted using substantially the same configuration of apparatus depicted in Figure 5, the only additional requirement is that either the seal 64 or another seal or sealing compound would seal the whole surface of the sample in a similar manner as described hi relation to and as illustrated in Figure 4. In the above described embodiments, the constant fluid pressure source 10 has been described as a vacuum source. However the source can be a liquid such as water at a substantially constant pressure. This allows measurement of water permeability of the material 12. In such an application, the impedance of restrictive tubes 30 and 44 must be greatly increased to improve sensitivity to the reduction in the permeating fluid flow rate of water with respect to air. Typically, a length of a nominal 30metres would be required to measure permeability rates of less than 1 x 10-11 metres per second Measurements made in accordance with the second embodiment depicted in Figure 4 may not directly relate to measurements in accordance with the set-up shown in Figures 2 and 3 unless empirical determination of the required tests surface and atmospheric venting surface dimensions at a distance between said surfaces is obtained. Figure 6 illustrates application of the apparatus of figure 1 for measurement of the permeability of a paint film. A sectional view shows a paint film 90 that has been prepared by coating onto a surface which has subsequently been dissolved. The film 90 is then laid onto a freely permeable support medium 92 contained within a fluid impervious means in the form of an impermeable receptacle 94 and peripherally sealed (96) to the receptacle 94 by a peripheral seal 96. Here, a fluid flow cavity 28" is defined between the paint film 90 and the receptacle 94 by the medium 92. Duct 32a provides fluid communication to the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 between cavity 28" and the constant vacuum source 14 of Figure 1, in a similar way to duct 32, via a corresponding high fluid impedance and transducer. The film permeability can now be determined and the effects of environmental exposure can be compared at intervals for degradation. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention for measuring strain in permeable material. Referring to Figures 1 and 7, the fluid capacitance vessel 16 has been removed for clarity. The vessel 16 normally serves as a convenient containment of components and smoothes pulsation that may evolve from the constant vacuum source 14. It will be obvious that by connecting duct 11 of Figure 1 to the pressure transducers 18,34, and 46, and the high fluid impedance tubes 30 and 44, the vessel 16 is redundant and simplifies Figure 7. The drawing of Figure 7 has been arranged to represent a system lOa which is a fluid analogy of the familiar wheatstone bridge. In particular, it resembles a strain gauge half bridge in which two "permeability actuated " analogous strain gauges R3 and R4 are employed. Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a constant vacuum source 14a is connected via duct 1 la to high fluid impedance tubes 30a and 44a (Rl and R2), thence to two cavities 28a and 28b respectively, formed on a surface 100 of a test substrate 101. The R3 and R4 resistor symbols represent resistance to atmospheric air permeation through the material 101 being investigated, into the cavities 28a and 28b. The atmospheric air ingress into the cavities 28a and 28b, against the resistance of the test material 101, is represented by the white arrow heads. Similar to a strain gauge installation the cavities 28a and 28d respond to elongation or compression of a test surface to which they are attached. Unlike strain gauges wherein a change in electrical resistance occurs, the cavities experience a change in vacuum condition due to a change in the permeability of the test material 101 partly defining the cavities 28a and 28b. In like manner to strain gauges in a half bridge configuration, one cavity is attached to a surface undergoing tensile loading whilst the other is attached to a surface undergoing compressive loading. In a further analogy to a strain gauge installation, a pressure difference is measured across a differential pressure transducer 34a fluidly connected by ducts 32a and 42a to the R1/R3 and R2/R4 junctions respectively. Conductors 20a provide electrical connection to an amplifier and display 38a. In order to achieve bridge balance under no load, the high fluid impedance tubes 30a and 44a (Rl and R2) can be made adjustable. This can be facilitated by spiral winding the tubes and containing between adjustable pressure plates. Alternatively, one such adjustable device can be placed as a series connection as appropriate with one of the cavity connections to duct 32a or 42a Figure 8 shows detail of a typical cavity performing a function analogous with a strain gauge, for example, representing 28a (R3) of Figure 7. A portion of concrete 101 has been sectioned to reveal a cavity 28a defined under an elongate strip of impermeable material 24a sealed peripherally to the concrete 101 by a surface coat of a fluid impermeable seal 120. Similarly, a second elongate strip of impermeable material 25a defines a cavity 29a and is arranged at a predetermined parallel distance from 24a/28a. The cavity 29a serves as a weather proof atmospheric reference being fluidly connected to atmosphere via duct 33a, The cavity 24a is fluidly communicated via duct 3 2a to the remainder of the system lOa of Figure 7 and hence is connected to the vacuum source 14a. With specific reference to Figure 8, a permeable air flow varying in response to a varying stress, indicated by the black arrow, is illustrated by the white arrows. The flow is shown between the atmospheric cavity 29a and the vacuum cavity 28a. Micro-cracks in the surface of the concrete 101 open and close with variation in applied stress to produce this effect. The fluid impermeable seal 120 is extended sufficiently to provide weather protection, especially from rain. Figure 9 shows application of the system lOa to a high rise building 115 constructed of concrete (101). Cavities 28a and 28b are attached to surfaces 100 on the sides of the building as viewed to measure strain due to a force, represented by a black arrow, produced for example by wind loading. A correction to gas permeability measurement due to moisture content in concrete can be provided. This can be achieved directly by electrical conductivity measurement Alternatively, by measuring the amount of water in the minuscule airflow over a predetermined time, a correction may be derived from a method such as chemical absorption, or a device wherein minuscule capacitor plates are chilled to collect moisture and alter capacitance and hence frequency in an electronic oscillator circuit. Now that embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modification and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the apparatus shown in Figure 1 depicts the use of a single disc 24 for providing surface permeability and a single sleeve 40 for providing matrix permeability. However multiple discs 24 and/or sleeves 40 can be incorporated in order to test large areas of material and/or to provide both surface permeability and matrix permeability measurements. In another variation, permeability measurement of a layer of concrete at a selected depth may be accomplished by providing two elements of the configuration of Figure 3 to produce a fluid flow, one to the other, and having all significant surfaces sealed. Further, the inclusion of the vessel 16 is not essential and largely determined by the capacity of the constant pressure source. With respect to strain measurement, liquid instead of gas may be appropriate such as in submerged applications. Further, in the embodiments depicted in Figures 7-9, the cavities formed on the material for which the strain is measured are illustrated as being formed on the surface of the material. However in a similar manner as illustrated in Figure 3 and 3 a, the cavities can be formed internally of the material. All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined by the above description, and the appended claims. We Claim: 1. An apparatus for providing a measure of the permeability of a material comprising at least: an almost constant fluid pressure source; a first fluid impervious member for juxtaposition and sealing with the material in order to define, between said first member and said material a corresponding first fluid flow cavity; a first high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said first fluid flow cavity; a first seal for sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the first fluid impervious member to define a first fluid impervious region between said first fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of said material; and a measuring device for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first high fluid flow impedance to provide a measure of the permeability of said material. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious member comprises a planar article for placement on said material. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious member compises a sleeve disposed in a blind hole formed in the material, the sleeve extending for a portion of the length of the hole from the surface of the material and having a down-hole end spaced above a bottom of the hole, the sleeve forming a seal against an interior surface of said portion of the length of the hole, wherein said corresponding first fluid flow cavity is defined between the down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a fluid impervious blank of a diameter less than the diameter of the hole and of a length less than a remainder of the length of the hole between said down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole, said blank deposited in said hole prior to the insertion of said sleeve. 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious member is placed on the material to define said first fluid flow cavity; and comprising: a second fluid impervious device for sealed placement in a blind hole formed in said material in a manner to define, between said second fluid impervious member and a bottom of said hole, a second fluid flow cavity; a second high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said second fluid flow cavity; a second seal for sealing an area of the surface of the material surrounding said second fluid impervious member to define a second fluid impervious region between said second fluid flow cavity and said free unsealed surface of said material; wherein said measuring device measures steady state differential pressure across said first and second high fluid flow impedances. 6. A method for obtaining a measure of the permeability of a material comprising at least the steps of: providing an almost constant fluid pressure source; coupling said constant fluid pressure source through a first high fluid flow impedance to a first fluid flow cavity formed on or in the material; forming a first fluid impervious seal on or in the material about said first fluid flow cavity to define the first fluid flow cavity; sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the first fluid impervious seal to define a first fluid impervious region between the first fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of said material; and measuring steady state differential pressure across said first high fluid flow impedance to provide a measure of permeability of the material. 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a second fluid impervious member spaced from said first fluid impervious means, said second fluid impervious member juxtaposed with and sealed to said material in a manner to define, between said second fluid impervious member and said material, a second fluid flow cavity; a second high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid communication between said second cavity and said pressure source; said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said first high fluid flow impedance and said second cavity coupled in series at a second node to said second high fluid flow impedance; said sealing means being juxtaposed with said material and said first and second fluid impervious members whereby said fluid impervious region extends between said first and second cavities and said free unsealed surface of said material; and said measuring device being coupled to both said first and second high fluid flow impedances and said first and second nodes respectively to provide a measure of a difference in permeability of said material between said first cavity and said free surface, and between said second cavity and said free surface. 8. A method as claimed in claim 6 comprising the steps of: forming a second fluid flow cavity on or in said material; coupling said constant fluid pressure source through a second high fluid flow impedance to said second fluid flow cavity; forming a second fluid impervious seal on or in said material about said second fluid flow cavity to define a second fluid impervious region between said second fluid flow cavity and said free unsealed surface of said material; coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said first cavity; coupling said second fluid flow impedance in series at a second node to said second cavity; and measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second nodes. 9. An apparatus for providing a measure of the difference in permeability between surfaces of a permeable material subjected to a load, said apparatus comprising: a substantially constant fluid pressure source; first and second fluid impervious means for juxtaposition at different locations with said material in a manner to define, between said means and said material, corresponding first and second fluid flow cavities; first and second high fluid flow impedances providing high impedance fluid communication between respective first and second cavities and said pressure source; said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said first high fluid flow impedance, and said second cavity coupled in series at a second node to said second high fluid flow impedance; sealing means for juxtaposition with the material and said first and second fluid impervious means to define a fluid impervious region between said first and second cavities and a free surface of said material; and means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and second nodes. 10. A method of obtaining a measure of the difference in permeability between surfaces of a permeable material subjected to a load, said method comprising the steps of: providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source; coupling said constant fluid pressure source to first and second fluid flow cavities formed on or in said material through respective first and second high fluid flow impedances; forming the first and second fluid flow cavities with respective fluid impervious members on/or in said material; sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the first and the second fluid impervious members to define a first and a second fluid impervious region between the first and the second fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of said material; coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said first cavity; coupling said second high fluid flow impedance in series at a second node to said second cavity; and measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second nodes.

Full Text

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measurement of permeability or strain in permeable materials.
Background of the Invention
Permeability of a material can be defined as a rate of which a fluid flows through the material. The measurement of the permeability of materials, for example concrete, is of importance in determining the suitability of the material for various purposes such as fluid containment and structural life. Changes in permeability with stress presents a / method of measuring strain in permeable material
Generally, the known methods of measurement of permeability measure a change in pressure of a gas applied to the material and/or depth of liquid penetration in the material. This method is known as the pulse test method. This method takes a substantial time to run and may involve the preparation of special samples. For example, the contemporary construction industry relies heavily on laboratory tests carried out on samples taken during a pour of a large concrete slab or structure to ascertain the strength of the concrete for further construction to be carried out. A steady state test method is a another, more desirable, method and is employed in the current specification. Further, the steady state test method is practical for the measurement of strain. In situ testing is a further desired attribute to reduce time taken and cost
US Patent No. 4,979,390 describes one method and apparatus for testing relative permeability of materials. In general terms, this requires the application of a partial vacuum to a small test area on a piece of concrete and measuring the rate of decay of the vacuum to provide an index of permeability. A limitation of the method and apparatus described is that it is restricted to a measurement of relative permeability and only a single test surface of relatively small area.
International Application No PCT/AU94/00325 (WO 94/27130) Tulip Bay discloses a monitoring apparatus that can be used to detect faults or cracks in the surface of or within a structure or component The monitoring apparatus described includes a substantially constant vacuum source connected hi series with a high impedance to fluid flow device that hi turn is connected with one or more minuscule flaw sensing cavities formed on the surface of or within a structure. A differential pressure transducer is connected across the high impedance device to monitor the vacuum state of the minuscule flaw sensing cavity or cavities. A pressure differential transducer monitors the change in vacuum condition between the minuscule flaw sensing cavities and the constant vacuum source. Accordingly, if there is a change in vacuum condition in the cavities which can arise from the formation and propagation of a crack, the change is detected by the transducer. Cracks of a length down to 250 micron have been detected using a constant vacuum source of only 200KpA below atmospheric reference.
The apparatus in Tulip Bay is particularly well suited to incorporation in embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly the contents of Tulip Bay are incorporated herein by way of reference.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost in situation, method and apparatus for providing a measurement of the permeability of a material. It is a further object to provide a means of method and apparatus for measuring strain in permeable material by means of change in permeability with applied stress.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for a measure of the permeability of a material including at least:
a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
at least one fluid impervious member for juxtaposition and sealing with the material in a manner to define, between said member and said material a corresponding fluid flow cavity;
a high fluid flow impedance means providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said fluid flow cavity;
sealing means for sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the fluid impervious member to define a fluid impervious region between said fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of the material; and,
means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said high fluid flow impedance means to provide a measure of the permeability of said material.
Preferably said at least one fluid impervious member includes a planar article for placement on said material.
Preferably said at least one fluid impervious member includes a sleeve disposed in a blind hole formed in the material, the sleeve extending for a portion of the length of the hole from the surface of the material and having a down-hole end spaced above a bottom of the hole, the sleeve forming a seal against an interior surface of said portion of the length of the hole, wherein said corresponding fluid flow cavity is defined between the down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole.
Preferably said apparatus further includes a fluid impervious blank of a diameter less than the diameter of the hole and of a length less than a remainder of the length of the hole between said down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the hole, said blank deposited in said hole prior to the insertion of said sleeve.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a measure of permeability of a material including at least:
a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
at least one first fluid impervious member each for sealed placement on the material to define, between each first member and said material, a corresponding first fluid flow cavity;
first high fluid flow impedance means providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said first fluid flow cavities;
first sealing means for sealing an area of a surface of said material surrounding said first fluid impervious members to define respective fluid impervious regions between said first fluid flow cavities and a free unsealed surface of the material;
at least one second fluid impervious member each for sealed placement in respective holes formed in said material in a manner to define, between said second members and a bottom of said holes, a corresponding second fluid flow cavities;
second high fluid flow impedance members providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said second fluid flow cavities;
second sealing means for sealing an area of the surface of the material surrounding the second fluid impervious member to define respective fluid impervious regions between said second fluid flow cavities and said free surface of the material; and
means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and second high fluid flow impedance means to provide a measure of the permeability of said material.
According to the present invention there is also provided a method for obtaining a measure of the permeability of a material including at least the steps of:
providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
coupling said constant fluid pressure source through respective high fluid flow impedances to one or more fluid flow cavities formed on/or in the material;
forming respective fluid impervious seals on/or in the material about each fluid flow cavity to define corresponding fluid impervious regions between each fluid flow
cavity and a free surface of the material; and,
monitoring measuring steady state differential pressure across said high fluid flow impedances to provide a measure of permeability of the material.
According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for providing a
measure of strain in a permeable material, said apparatus including at least:
a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
first and second fluid impervious members for juxtaposition at different locations and
sealing with said material in a manner to define, between said members and said
material, corresponding first and second fluid flow cavities;
first and second high fluid flow impedances providing high impedance fluid
communication between respective first and second cavities and said pressure source;
said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said first high fluid flow impedance,
and said second cavity coupled in series at a second node to said second high fluid flow
impedance;
sealing means for sealing areas of a surface of the material surrounding said first and
second fluid impervious members to define a fluid impervious region between said first
and second cavities and a free surface of said material; and,
means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and second nodes
to provide a measure of strain in said material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of obtaining a measure of strain of a material, said method including at least the steps of: providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
coupling said constant fluid pressure source through respective first and second high fluid flow impedances;
forming first and second fluid flow cavities on or in said material;
forming respective fluid impervious seals on/or in said material about said first and second fluid flow cavities to define corresponding fluid impervious regions between each of said fluid flow cavities and a free surface of said material;
coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said first
cavity;
coupling said second high fluid flow impedance in series at a second node to said second cavity; and
measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second nodes to provide a measure of strain in said material.
In one embodiment, said high impedance includes a very long length of small bore duct which allows a minuscule flow of fluid.
In an alternate embodiment, said high impedance comprises a permeable material such as sintered glass, an orifice or point restriction such as a needle valve being considered far too impracticable due to the minuscule flow required.
The magnitude of the high fluid flow impedance should be sufficiently high as to produce significant pressure drop across the high impedance in response to minuscule flow through the high impedance.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with the first
part of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure
1 for providing surface permeability measurement in a bulk material;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure
1 for providing matrix to surface permeability measurement in a bulk
material; Figure 3 A is an enlargement of portion A of Figure 3;
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure
1 for providing surface to surface permeability measurement in a sample of material; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an application of the apparatus of figure 1 for providing material to matrix permeability measurement in a bulk material.
Figure 6 illustrates application of the apparatus of figure 1 for measurement of the
permeability of a paint film.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with a second
aspect of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a portion of the embodiment depicted in
Figure 7;and,
Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an application of the embodiment shown
in Figure 7.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Figures 1-3 A, an embodiment of the apparatus 10, in accordance with the first part of the present invention, for providing a measure of the permeability of a material 12 includes a substantially constant fluid pressure source which, in this embodiment is in the form of a constant vacuum source 14 (a pressure source at a sub-atmospheric pressure). The vacuum source 14 is coupled via duct 11 to a fluid capacitance vessel 16 which contains a first pressure transducer 18 coupled by electrical conductors 20 to an amplifier and display 22 for monitoring the constant vacuum source 14. Throughout this specification the term "fluid pressure source" is intended to denote a source of fluid at any particular absolute pressure.
A first fluid impervious member in the form of a fluid impervious disc 24 is provided for placement on a surface 26 of the material 12 to define, between the disc 24 and the surface 26 a first fluid flow cavity 28 (see Figure 2). The disc 24 is coupled to the vessel 16 and thus to the constant vacuum source 14 via a high impedance fluid flow means in the form of a length of a small bore duct such as restriction tube 30 (typical
dimensions being less than 0.30mm bore and length in excess of 3 metres) . That is, one end of the impedance 30 is coupled to the vessel 16 with the other end coupled via a conduit 32 to the disc 24. A second pressure transducer 34 is coupled across the impedance 30 and coupled by conductors 36 to an amplifier and digital display 38.
A second fluid impervious member in the form of a sleeve 40 is coupled via a conduit 42 and high fluid flow impedance in the form of restriction tube 44 of the same dimensions as tube 30 to the vessel 16 and thus the constant vacuum source 14. Pressure transducer 46 is effectively coupled across the fluid impedance 44 between the sleeve 40 and the vacuum source 14. Additionally the transducer 46 is coupled by electrical conductors 48 to an amplifier and digital display 50.
The sleeve 40 is disposed in a blind hole 52 formed hi the material 12. The sleeve 40 extends from the surface 26 of the material for a portion of the length of the hole 52 so that a down-hole end 54 is spaced from the bottom 56 of the hole 52. The sleeve 40 forms a seal against the interior surface of the portion of the hole 52 for which it extends (the gap shown between sleeve 40 and the interior surface of hole 52 in Figure 3A is for clarity of illustration only, the gap does not actually exist). A fluid flow cavity 58 is defined between the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve and the bottom 56 of the hole. This cavity is placed in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14 by conduit 42 which couples to an axial bore 59 provided in the sleeve 40.
The cavities 28 and 58 are configured so that the surface area of the material under disc 24 in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14 is substantially the same as the • surface area of the hole 52 between down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40 and the bottom 56 of the hole 52, inclusive of the area of the bottom face of the hole 52.
Associated with the disc 24 and thus the first fluid flow cavity 28 is a fluid impervious seal 60. The seal 60 forms a seal about the periphery of the disc 24 and extends radially outwardly on the surface 26 of the material 12. The seal 60 thus forms on the surface 26 of the material a fluid impervious area or region 62 between the fluid flow cavity 28 and
the "free surface" of the material 12. The term "free surface" refers to any surface of the material 12 that is open to fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere/environment without third party impediment, this can include the surface of a hole or cavity formed in the material which is in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere/environment, (such as depicted in Figure 5 as explained in greater detail below).
A second fluid impervious seal in the form of a seal 64 forms a seal about the periphery of the sleeve 40 at surface 26 and extends radially outwardly on the surface 26 of the material 12. The seal 64 forms a fluid impervious area or region 66 between the fluid flow cavity 58 associated with the sleeve 40 and the free surface of the material 12 (refer Figures 3 and 3 A), with the radial width of seals 60 and 64 being substantially the same.
When the apparatus 10 is applied to the material 12 it will be appreciated that after an initial transient period a constant (steady state) vacuum will exist in the fluid flow cavity 28 beneath disc 24 and the fluid flow cavity 58 beneath the sleeve 40. This creates a pressure differential between the cavities 28, 58 and the surrounding environment. Assuming that the material 12 has some degree of permeability, air is able to permeate through the material 12 from beyond the fluid impervious areas/regions 62, 66 to the fluid cavities 28,58 respectively. This flow produces a steady state differential pressure across the corresponding high fluid impedance restriction tubes 30,44 which will be displayed on corresponding displays 38 and 50. These displays can be directly calibrated into a scale of permeability. Accordingly the apparatus 10 can provide a measure of the specific permeability of the material 12. Particularly the apparatus 10 can provide either a measure of specific surface permeability via disc 28, of or specific matrix permeability via sleeve 40, or both.
In order to reduce the time for stabilisation of the vacuum state in the bottom of hole 52 at the initial application of the apparatus 10 when used to provide a measure of matrix permeability, a blank 68 can be provided for insertion into the hole 52 between the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40 and the bottom of 56 of the hole. The blank 68 is of

a diameter less than that of the hole 52. The purpose of the blank 68 is simply to reduce the volume of the portion of the hole constituting the fluid flow cavity 58 thereby reducing the time required to evacuate the bottom of the hole prior to the commencement of the permeability measurement.
In order to produce highly accurate and meaningful results with repeatability, it is preferable to optimise the ratio of the fluid impervious areas or regions 62/66 with the surface areas of the material within cavities 28, 58. Take for example the arrangement shown in Figure 2. If the fluid impervious area 62 is too small then a fluid flow path between the cavity 28 and the free surface of the material 26 will be too short to provide an accurate measurement of the permeability of the material. That is, there will not be sufficient fluid flow path length in the material 12 to provide an accurate reading of permeability. It is known however that after a certain distance or radius has been reached from the periphery of the cavity 28 there is insignificant difference in permeability measurement by extending the fluid impervious area 62. The ratio between the outer diameter of the area 62 and the cavity 28 can be found empirically for a particular material. 6:1 is a typically ratio. Additionally, it is preferable that the areas covered by the seals 60 and 64 are approximately the same.
In general application, a plurality of discs 24 and/or sleeves 40 with corresponding seals 60/64 can be arranged in line groups connected to one high fluid flow impedance or as simultaneous surface and matrix tests connected to two or more high fluid flow impedance restriction tubes. Of course the scale of unpedance needs to be compensated if the use of multiple cavities alters the sum total exposed area of the cavities 28 and 58
The apparatus depicted in Figure 1 is configured to provide a measure of both surface to surface permeability of the bulk material 12 using the disk 24 as shown in Figure 2 and surface to matrix permeability of the bulk material 12 using the sleeve 40 depicted in Figure 3. It is however not essential that the apparatus 10 be configured to simultaneously take both surface to surface and surface to matrix permeability measurements. Either one of the high impedance restriction tubes 30 or 44 can be de-
coupled so that the apparatus 10 takes the measurement of only surface to surface permeability or surface to matrix permeability of the bulk material 12.
As mentioned above, International Application No. PCT/AU94/00325 (Tulip) describes an monitoring apparatus particularly well suited for incorporation into embodiments of the present invention. With particular reference to Figure 1, the impedances 30,44, transducers 34,46 and displays 30 and 50 may all take the form of that described in Tulip Bay. The particular advantage of incorporating the Tulip Bay apparatus is that it enables detection of fluid flow well below the lower limits of conventional mass flow meters. Further, if desired, the sensitivity of the apparatus can be increased infinitely by increasing the impedance of the high fluid flow impedances.
Further to this, in a further application, the apparatus 10 can be configured, as illustrated in Figure 4, to take surface to surface permeability measurement of a sample unit of material such as a brick 70. (In this embodiment the brick is illustrated as being provided with a plurality of apertures 71, but the provision of apertures is not necessary. The embodiment is equally applicable to a solid brick). In this application, a fluid impervious means in the form of a rectangular sheet 24' that is sealed to outer peripheral surface 72 of the brick 70 with a perimeter fillet of an adhesive 74. A corresponding cavity (hidden) is defined between the sheet 24' and the underlying area of the surface 72 of the brick 70. The cavity beneath the sheet 24' is in fluid communication with the high fluid impedance 30 via conduit 32', ie, in terms of Figure 1, the disc 24 is replaced with the sheet 24'. The entirety of the remainder of the surface 72 of the brick 70 including the surface area of the apertures 71 but excluding a rectangular area 26' is sealed with a sealing compound.' The area 26' is spaced a distance from the sheet 24' and is of the same area as the surface area of the brick 70 beneath the sheet 24' which is in fluid communication with the vacuum source 14. The operation of the apparatus 10 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 allows a measure of the permeability of a surface layer of the brick 70 between sheet 24' and area 26'.
Figure 5 illustrates a configuration for making matrix to matrix permeability
measurement in a bulk material 12. In comparison to the apparatus 10 depicted in Figure 1 and the arrangement in Figure 3, the configuration in Figure 5 differs in that the disc 24 is not used,, the free surface 26 is the surface area of a lower part 76 of a hole 78 formed in the bulk material 12 and, the seal 64 seals a greater surface area of the material 12. In this regard, the seal 64 extends along the surface of the material 12 from the sleeve 40 for a distance substantially greater than the distance between holes 52 and 78. Also, the seal 64 extends for a portion of the length of the hole 78 to the lower portion 76. However, the seal 64 does not completely block the hole 78 and a communication channel 80 is left or otherwise formed to allow fluid communication between the surface 26 of the bottom portion of the hole 76 and the atmosphere. The area of the surface 26 is approximately the same as the surface area of the hole 52 beneath the down-hole end 54 of the sleeve 40.
Of course matrix to matrix permeability measurement of a sample of material could be conducted using substantially the same configuration of apparatus depicted in Figure 5, the only additional requirement is that either the seal 64 or another seal or sealing compound would seal the whole surface of the sample in a similar manner as described hi relation to and as illustrated in Figure 4.
In the above described embodiments, the constant fluid pressure source 10 has been described as a vacuum source. However the source can be a liquid such as water at a substantially constant pressure. This allows measurement of water permeability of the material 12. In such an application, the impedance of restrictive tubes 30 and 44 must be greatly increased to improve sensitivity to the reduction in the permeating fluid flow rate of water with respect to air. Typically, a length of a nominal 30metres would be required to measure permeability rates of less than 1 x 10-11 metres per second
Measurements made in accordance with the second embodiment depicted in Figure 4 may not directly relate to measurements in accordance with the set-up shown in Figures 2 and 3 unless empirical determination of the required tests surface and atmospheric venting surface dimensions at a distance between said surfaces is obtained.
Figure 6 illustrates application of the apparatus of figure 1 for measurement of the permeability of a paint film. A sectional view shows a paint film 90 that has been prepared by coating onto a surface which has subsequently been dissolved. The film 90 is then laid onto a freely permeable support medium 92 contained within a fluid impervious means in the form of an impermeable receptacle 94 and peripherally sealed (96) to the receptacle 94 by a peripheral seal 96. Here, a fluid flow cavity 28" is defined between the paint film 90 and the receptacle 94 by the medium 92. Duct 32a provides fluid communication to the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 between cavity 28" and the constant vacuum source 14 of Figure 1, in a similar way to duct 32, via a corresponding high fluid impedance and transducer. The film permeability can now be determined and the effects of environmental exposure can be compared at intervals for degradation.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention for measuring strain in permeable material. Referring to Figures 1 and 7, the fluid capacitance vessel 16 has been removed for clarity. The vessel 16 normally serves as a convenient containment of components and smoothes pulsation that may evolve from the constant vacuum source 14. It will be obvious that by connecting duct 11 of Figure 1 to the pressure transducers 18,34, and 46, and the high fluid impedance tubes 30 and 44, the vessel 16 is redundant and simplifies Figure 7.
The drawing of Figure 7 has been arranged to represent a system lOa which is a fluid analogy of the familiar wheatstone bridge. In particular, it resembles a strain gauge half bridge in which two "permeability actuated " analogous strain gauges R3 and R4 are employed.
Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a constant vacuum source 14a is connected via duct 1 la to high fluid impedance tubes 30a and 44a (Rl and R2), thence to two cavities 28a and 28b respectively, formed on a surface 100 of a test substrate 101. The R3 and R4 resistor symbols represent resistance to atmospheric air permeation through the material 101 being investigated, into the cavities 28a and 28b. The atmospheric air ingress into
the cavities 28a and 28b, against the resistance of the test material 101, is represented by the white arrow heads.
Similar to a strain gauge installation the cavities 28a and 28d respond to elongation or compression of a test surface to which they are attached. Unlike strain gauges wherein a change in electrical resistance occurs, the cavities experience a change in vacuum condition due to a change in the permeability of the test material 101 partly defining the cavities 28a and 28b. In like manner to strain gauges in a half bridge configuration, one cavity is attached to a surface undergoing tensile loading whilst the other is attached to a surface undergoing compressive loading.
In a further analogy to a strain gauge installation, a pressure difference is measured across a differential pressure transducer 34a fluidly connected by ducts 32a and 42a to the R1/R3 and R2/R4 junctions respectively. Conductors 20a provide electrical connection to an amplifier and display 38a. In order to achieve bridge balance under no load, the high fluid impedance tubes 30a and 44a (Rl and R2) can be made adjustable. This can be facilitated by spiral winding the tubes and containing between adjustable pressure plates. Alternatively, one such adjustable device can be placed as a series connection as appropriate with one of the cavity connections to duct 32a or 42a
Figure 8 shows detail of a typical cavity performing a function analogous with a strain
gauge, for example, representing 28a (R3) of Figure 7.
A portion of concrete 101 has been sectioned to reveal a cavity 28a defined under an
elongate strip of impermeable material 24a sealed peripherally to the concrete 101 by a
surface coat of a fluid impermeable seal 120. Similarly, a second elongate strip of
impermeable material 25a defines a cavity 29a and is arranged at a predetermined
parallel distance from 24a/28a. The cavity 29a serves as a weather proof atmospheric
reference being fluidly connected to atmosphere via duct 33a, The cavity 24a is fluidly
communicated via duct 3 2a to the remainder of the system lOa of Figure 7 and hence is
connected to the vacuum source 14a.
With specific reference to Figure 8, a permeable air flow varying in response to a
varying stress, indicated by the black arrow, is illustrated by the white arrows. The flow is shown between the atmospheric cavity 29a and the vacuum cavity 28a. Micro-cracks in the surface of the concrete 101 open and close with variation in applied stress to produce this effect. The fluid impermeable seal 120 is extended sufficiently to provide weather protection, especially from rain.
Figure 9 shows application of the system lOa to a high rise building 115 constructed of concrete (101).
Cavities 28a and 28b are attached to surfaces 100 on the sides of the building as viewed to measure strain due to a force, represented by a black arrow, produced for example by wind loading.
A correction to gas permeability measurement due to moisture content in concrete can be provided. This can be achieved directly by electrical conductivity measurement Alternatively, by measuring the amount of water in the minuscule airflow over a predetermined time, a correction may be derived from a method such as chemical absorption, or a device wherein minuscule capacitor plates are chilled to collect moisture and alter capacitance and hence frequency in an electronic oscillator circuit.
Now that embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modification and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the apparatus shown in Figure 1 depicts the use of a single disc 24 for providing surface permeability and a single sleeve 40 for providing matrix permeability. However multiple discs 24 and/or sleeves 40 can be incorporated in order to test large areas of material and/or to provide both surface permeability and matrix permeability measurements.
In another variation, permeability measurement of a layer of concrete at a selected depth may be accomplished by providing two elements of the configuration of Figure 3 to produce a fluid flow, one to the other, and having all significant surfaces sealed.
Further, the inclusion of the vessel 16 is not essential and largely determined by the capacity of the constant pressure source.
With respect to strain measurement, liquid instead of gas may be appropriate such as in submerged applications. Further, in the embodiments depicted in Figures 7-9, the cavities formed on the material for which the strain is measured are illustrated as being formed on the surface of the material. However in a similar manner as illustrated in Figure 3 and 3 a, the cavities can be formed internally of the material.
All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined by the above description, and the appended claims.

We Claim:
1. An apparatus for providing a measure of the permeability of a material
comprising at least:
an almost constant fluid pressure source;
a first fluid impervious member for juxtaposition and sealing with the
material in order to define, between said first member and said material a
corresponding first fluid flow cavity;
a first high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid
communication between said pressure source and said first fluid flow
cavity;
a first seal for sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the
first fluid impervious member to define a first fluid impervious region
between said first fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of said
material; and
a measuring device for measuring steady state differential pressure across
said first high fluid flow impedance to provide a measure of the permeability
of said material.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious
member comprises a planar article for placement on said material.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious
member compises a sleeve disposed in a blind hole formed in the material,
the sleeve extending for a portion of the length of the hole from the surface
of the material and having a down-hole end spaced above a bottom of the
hole, the sleeve forming a seal against an interior surface of said portion of
the length of the hole, wherein said corresponding first fluid flow cavity is
defined between the down-hole end of the sleeve and the bottom of the
hole.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a fluid impervious blank of
a diameter less than the diameter of the hole and of a length less than a
remainder of the length of the hole between said down-hole end of the
sleeve and the bottom of the hole, said blank deposited in said hole prior to
the insertion of said sleeve.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid impervious
member is placed on the material to define said first fluid flow cavity; and
comprising:
a second fluid impervious device for sealed placement in a blind hole formed in said material in a manner to define, between said second fluid impervious member and a bottom of said hole, a second fluid flow cavity; a second high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid communication between said pressure source and said second fluid flow cavity;
a second seal for sealing an area of the surface of the material surrounding said second fluid impervious member to define a second fluid impervious region between said second fluid flow cavity and said free unsealed surface of said material;
wherein said measuring device measures steady state differential pressure across said first and second high fluid flow impedances.
6. A method for obtaining a measure of the permeability of a material
comprising at least the steps of:
providing an almost constant fluid pressure source;
coupling said constant fluid pressure source through a first high fluid flow
impedance to a first fluid flow cavity formed on or in the material;
forming a first fluid impervious seal on or in the material about said first fluid
flow cavity to define the first fluid flow cavity;
sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the first fluid
impervious seal to define a first fluid impervious region between the first

fluid flow cavity and a free unsealed surface of said material; and measuring steady state differential pressure across said first high fluid flow impedance to provide a measure of permeability of the material.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a second fluid impervious member spaced from said first fluid impervious means, said second fluid impervious member juxtaposed with and sealed to said material in a manner to define, between said second fluid impervious member and said material, a second fluid flow cavity; a second high fluid flow impedance providing high impedance fluid communication between said second cavity and said pressure source; said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said first high fluid flow impedance and said second cavity coupled in series at a second node to said second high fluid flow impedance;
said sealing means being juxtaposed with said material and said first and second fluid impervious members whereby said fluid impervious region extends between said first and second cavities and said free unsealed surface of said material; and
said measuring device being coupled to both said first and second high fluid flow impedances and said first and second nodes respectively to provide a measure of a difference in permeability of said material between said first cavity and said free surface, and between said second cavity and said free surface.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6 comprising the steps of:
forming a second fluid flow cavity on or in said material;
coupling said constant fluid pressure source through a second high fluid flow impedance to said second fluid flow cavity;
forming a second fluid impervious seal on or in said material about said second fluid flow cavity to define a second fluid impervious region between said second fluid flow cavity and said free unsealed surface of said

material;
coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said
first cavity;
coupling said second fluid flow impedance in series at a second node to
said second cavity; and
measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second
nodes.
9. An apparatus for providing a measure of the difference in permeability
between surfaces of a permeable material subjected to a load, said
apparatus comprising:
a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
first and second fluid impervious means for juxtaposition at different
locations with said material in a manner to define, between said means and
said material, corresponding first and second fluid flow cavities;
first and second high fluid flow impedances providing high impedance fluid
communication between respective first and second cavities and said
pressure source; said first cavity coupled in series at a first node to said
first high fluid flow impedance, and said second cavity coupled in series at
a second node to said second high fluid flow impedance;
sealing means for juxtaposition with the material and said first and second
fluid impervious means to define a fluid impervious region between said
first and second cavities and a free surface of said material; and
means for measuring steady state differential pressure across said first and
second nodes.
10. A method of obtaining a measure of the difference in permeability between
surfaces of a permeable material subjected to a load, said method
comprising the steps of:
providing a substantially constant fluid pressure source;
coupling said constant fluid pressure source to first and second fluid flow

cavities formed on or in said material through respective first and second
high fluid flow impedances;
forming the first and second fluid flow cavities with respective fluid
impervious members on/or in said material;
sealing an area of a surface of the material surrounding the first and the
second fluid impervious members to define a first and a second fluid
impervious region between the first and the second fluid flow cavity and a
free unsealed surface of said material;
coupling said first high fluid flow impedance in series at a first node to said
first cavity;
coupling said second high fluid flow impedance in series at a second node
to said second cavity; and
measuring steady state pressure differential across said first and second
nodes.

Documents:

in-pct-2002-1277-del-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-claims.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-correspondence-others.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-correspondence-po.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-form-1.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-form-18.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-form-2.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-form-3.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-form-5.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-gpa.pdf

in-pct-2002-1277-del-pct-210.pdf

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Patent Number

222571

Indian Patent Application Number

IN/PCT/2002/01277/DEL

PG Journal Number

36/2008

Publication Date

05-Sep-2008

Grant Date

18-Aug-2008

Date of Filing

23-Dec-2002

Name of Patentee

STRUCTURAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LTD.

Applicant Address

LEVEL 1, 16 ORD STREET, WEST PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6005, AUSTRALIA.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DAVEY KENNETH JOHN	15 MANN WAY, BASSENDEAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6054, AUSTRALIA.

PCT International Classification Number

G01N 15/08

PCT International Application Number

PCT/AU01/00628

PCT International Filing date

2001-05-28

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	PQ 7880	2000-05-30	Australia