The prediction of air leakage rates through cracks in pressurized reinforced concrete containment vessels

Abstract

Measurements of air leakage through cracks in specimens of reinforced concrete were analysed on the basis that the compressible flow occurred without heat transfer between the air and the concrete. The resultant friction coefficients were then correlated with the crack size and roughness parameters. The empirical relations were rearranged so that leakage rates could be predicted for a gas with known properties passing through cracks of known average dimensions. Checking the predicted leakage against the measured leakage rates gave agreement within ±35%, the scatter being attributable to the very irregular nature of cracks. The method presented for the prediction of leakage can be used with confidence for typical cracks in reinforced concrete containment vessels.