Observation of Water Penetration into Cracked and Water Repellent SHCC after Imposed Strain by Means of Neutron Radiography

Huge strain capacity of SHCC under tensile stress can be reached by multiple crack formation, while the cracks remain bridged by fibers. Under protective conditions the full strain capacity can be used in practice. In this contribution it is shown that even at comparatively modest imposed strain cracks are formed, which may transport water and ions dissolved in water deep into structural elements made of SHCC. One way to reduce water penetration into cracked SHCC has been investigated, the use of an integral water repellent cement-based matrix. It is shown that in this way water penetration is significantly reduced and hence durability is increased.