Abstract:The relationship between permeability and durability, effect of air entrainment on durability of concrete and the improvement mechanism of concrete durability by air-entrainment were investigated in this paper. There is relationship between permeability and some durability caused by chemical attacks such as chlorine ion intrusion, carbonation and sulfate chemical erosion. There is no definite connection between permeability and the durability caused by expansion such as freeze resistance, sulfate crystallization and alkali aggregate reaction. When the concrete has an appropriate strength, the resistance of concrete to attacks can be improved because air entrainment can decrease permeability of concrete and air bubbles act as a lot of compression release value to reduce the pressure produced by expansion. Not only the damage caused by chemical attack can be reduced, but also the damage caused by expansion can be reduced significantly. In addition, the early cracking of concrete can also be modified drastically. Therefore, the comprehensive durability can be improved by air entrainment in comparison with the ordinary concrete at equal compressive strength.