Permeability of normal and lightweight mortars

Permeabilities of normal and lightweight mortars have been determined and related to pore structure from mercury porosimeter analyses. It was found that lightweight mortar is only about twice as permeable as sand mortar of equal aggregate volume concentration. Permeability of mortar increases as porosity is reduced by the addition of aggregates of lower porosity. In principle, the decision to use dry aggregates is safer for the durability control of concrete mortars.