Abstract
Addition of latex to concrete is known to increase its durability and permeability. The purpose of this study is to analyze air void systems in latex-modified concretes using a reasonable and objective method of image analysis with such experimental variables as water-cement (w/c) ratios, latex contents (0%, 15%) and cement types (ordinary portland cement (OPC), high-early strength (HES) cement and very-early strength (VES) cement). The results are analyzed by spacing factor, air volume (content) after hardening, air void distribution and structure. Additionally, air void systems and permeability of latex-modified concrete (LMC) are compared by a correlation analysis. The results are as follows. The LMC of the same w/c ratio showed better air entraining (AE) effect than OPC with AE water reducer. The VES-LMC showed that the quantity of entrained air below $100{\mu}m$ increased more than four times. For the case of HES-LMC, microscopic entrained air between the range of 50 to $500{\mu}m$ increased greater than 7 times even in the absence of anti-foamer. Although spacing factor was measured rather low, the permeability of latex-modified concrete was good. It is construed that air void system does not have a considerable effect on the property of latex-modified concrete, but latex film (membrane) has a definite influence on the durability of LMC.