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Self-sealing property of concrete—Experimental evidence

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Abstract

Leak-tightness of concrete is often judged in terms of the D'Arcy coefficient determined by the flow of water through saturated concrete at a constant rate. In the case of flow through saturated concrete, this rate often reduces with time and reaching a constant value may take many days. The present experiments were designed to explore various models in order to account for this behaviour. The results obtained support the concept that the dissolution and redeposition of alkalis is the most significant mechanism in the time-dependent reduction of flow of water in saturated concrete. Permeability of saturated concrete and self-sealing may be used as measures of the “immune” systems and potential durability of different concretes.

Résumé

On peut souvent évaluer l'étanchéité d'un béton selon le coefficient d'Arcy, qui est déterminé par le passage de l'eau à travers un béton saturé à un taux constant. Ce taux diminue graduellement et peut mettre un certain nombre de jours avant d'atteindre une valuer constante. Nos essais évaluent différents modèles pour tenir compte de ce comportement. Les résultats confirment que la dissolution et la redéposition des alcalins constitue le mécanisme le plus important dans la diminution graduelle du passage de l'eau à travers un béton saturé. La perméabilité d'un béton saturé et sa capacité à devenir étanche peuvent être utilisées comme mesure de son «système immunitaire» et de son potentiel de durabilité.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, M5S 1A4, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Natalya Hearn (Assistant Professor)

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, CB2 1PZ, England

    C. T. Morley (Senior Lecturer)

Authors
  1. Natalya Hearn
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  2. C. T. Morley
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Additional information

Editorial note Dr. N. Heam is a RILEM Affiliate, Member. She is active in the work of Technical Committee 146-TCF, Tightness of Concrete with respect to Fluids.

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Hearn, N., Morley, C.T. Self-sealing property of concrete—Experimental evidence. Mat. Struct. 30, 404–411 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02498563

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02498563

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