Experimental and Numerical Study of Water Uptake in Strained SHCC

Abstract

Strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are a class of cement based materials which show strain hardening behaviour in tension. This is achieved by multiple microcracking, which results in a tightly spaced crack pattern with relatively small crack widths (50-80μm, in general) and high strain capacity (up to 4-5%). Due to their ductile behaviour and tight crack widths, SHCCs are commonly used for concrete repair applications. However, due to the tight crack width and crack spacing, moisture uptake by capillary suction can take place very fast. This could result in rapid access of deleterious substances, such as chloride ions, resulting in corrosion initiation. In this study, X-ray tomography is used for monitoring and quantification of water uptake in SHCC. Specimens were first loaded to different strain levels in uniaxial tension. They are subsequently subjected to a capillary suction test. The performed test was subsequently modelled using a lattice model.