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ANALYSIS OF THE CRYSTALLINE WATERPROOFING BEHAVIOR IN REPAIRING

CRACKS IN CONCRETE

Conference Paper · September 2016

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 41st IAHS WORLD CONGRESS
Sustainability and Innovation for the Future
13-16th September 2016
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

ANALYSIS OF THE CRYSTALLINE WATERPROOFING BEHAVIOR

IN REPAIRING CRACKS IN CONCRETE
Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C. C. Dal Molin and Angela B.
Masuero

Núcleo Orientado para a Inovação da Edificação

Civil Engineering School
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Osvaldo Aranha, 99. Porto Alegre – Brazil
web: http://noriegec.cpgec.ufrgs.br/norie/
e-mail: vgcappellesso@gmail.com
nataliapetry@yahoo.com.br
{dmolin, angela.masuero}@ufrgs.br

Keywords: Concrete, Pathological Manifestations, Cracks, Waterproofing, Crystalline

Waterproofing.

Abstract Cracks are the most incident pathological manifestations in concrete structures
and their appearance represents a major problem, as it undermines the durability and
lifespan of the buildings. There are many ways to prevent and treat this event, however,
this paper will be given approach for the use of crystalline waterproofing products as an
additive in the concrete mix as well as a surface treatment after the appearance of the
cracks, they will be compared to concrete without and with silica fume. The crystalline
waterproofing has in its composition active compounds which aims to form crystals in the
spaces generated by cracks performing a self-healing process. The purpose of this paper
is to analyze the crystalline waterproofing capacity to close the cracks in the concrete and
what form of use is the most suitable for the product. Therefore, prismatic specimens
(9x9x32) cm of concrete were molded with the armor at the bottom, varying only the type
of treatment used. After that, there was the opening of the cracks with the help of a willing
four-point support, which is used to determine of tension strength in flexure of prismatic
specimens. However, the applied load was not to break of tension strength in flexure, was
applied only to the opening of the first crack. Then, some of the specimens received
surface treatment applied as paint in crack site, and some of these also had the sanded
paint after curing the same. The monitoring of the self-healing of the cracks was tracked
with the aid of an ultrasound device, this determines the ultrasonic wave transmission
velocity. In parallel, there was microscopic analysis of the cracks. The results show that
the test of ultrasonic wave transmission velocity was efficient on the question of self-
healing. It is noteworthy that the concrete receiving painting with waterproofing and with
the addition of silica fume, are those with the best results. Microscopic analysis proved to
be efficient to analyze qualitatively the possible self-healing.
 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

1. INTRODUCTION
Durability is influenced by several factors, the physical and chemical effects contribute to the
deterioration of structures [1]. And this is not only triggered by the intrinsic properties of
materials, but also by environmental conditions [2]. One way to mitigate the deterioration of
concrete is to reduce its permeability.
The permeability of the concrete is due to the large amount of voids and capillary and / or
cracking. Both can occur by factors such as: high water/cement relation, inadequate
consumption of cement, improper cure, incorrect densification [1], and overloads. The cracks
are considered as the gateway to the aggressive agents, and prevent their appearance and repair
the already cracked structures are appropriate measures to prevent degradation of concrete.
The permeability may result in degradation, thus reducing the service life of concrete structures.
Currently, several studies have been conducted in order to produce and test waterproofing
products in order to decrease permeability [3]. Another way to reduce permeability is using
pozzolanic cements and/or the addition of pozzolanic materials in the concrete mix. In this way,
the costs of repair and maintenance of concrete structures could be reduced.
Given the importance of making the less permeable concrete to increase the durability of
concrete structures, this study aimed to analyze the performance as the self-healing of cracks of
crystalline waterproofing product as surface treatment and as addition, performing a comparison
with a concrete with and without silica fume. To make the analysis of the self-healing of the
crack was used ultrasonic pulse velocity method. In parallel, it was observed with the aid of an
optical microscope cracked specific points in place to check the possible closing of the cracks.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Materials
Next, the materials used in the experimental program will be presented.

2.1.1 Cement
Was used pozzolanic cement of strength class 32, equivalent to Type IP according to ASTM
C 595. The chemical characteristics of the cement used in this study are described in Table 1.

Table 1. Chemical composition of cement

Features evaluated MgO SO3 Loss on ignition Insoluble
(%) / Normative limit 4.70 (≤ 6.5) 1.80 (≤ 4.0) 2.60 (≤ 4.5) 40.70 (-)
Source: Provider.

The cement has a specific area of 4900 cm²/g [4], fineness referring to sieve 200 equal to 0.40
and fineness compared to sieve 325 equal to 2.00. The bulk specific gravity is 2.59 g/cm³.
Regarding the setting times, the cement setting times start at 5h e 55min and the setting times
end at 8h e 15min. According to NBR NM 65 (ABNT, 2002) [5], the limits are ≥ 1 h to the
setting times start and ≤ 12 h to the setting times end. The compressive strength (MPa) meets
the regulatory limits of the NBR 7215 (ABNT, 1996) [6], at 3 days showed 17.7 MPa (≥
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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

10.0), at 7 days 22.8 MPa (≥ 20.0 ) and 28 days 36.2 MPa (≥ 32.0).

2.1.2 Aggregates
The aggregates were characterized for sieve analysis of fine and coarse aggregates according
to NBR NM 248 (ABNT, 2003)[7]. The fine aggregate is quartz sand, the particles have a
fineness modulus of 2.28. The bulk specific gravity of sand showed the value of ρ =2.58g/cm³
[8]. The coarse aggregate used is basaltic in two different granulometries: gravel 0 e gravel 1. The
gravel 0 has a maximum size equal to 12.5 mm, bulk specific gravity of dry aggregate equal to 2.95
and water absorption equal to 1.43%. Already the gravel 1 has a maximum feature size equal to 25
mm , bulk specific gravity of dry aggregate equal to 2.91 and water absorption equal to 0.66% [9].

2.1.3 Additions
The additions used were silica fume and crystalline waterproofing. Both aims to reduce the
permeability of concrete. The bulk specific gravity (g/cm³) of silica fume used in this study
was 2.20, and Table 2 one can see the chemical composition thereof.
Table 2. Chemical composition of silica fume
Features Al2O3 SiO2 Fe2O3 CO2 MgO SO3 K2O MnO P 2 O5 CaO Na2O
(%) 0.20 92.36 0.14 5.06 0.24 0.15 0.86 0.03 0.11 0.77 0.06

The crystalline waterproofing consists of Portland cement (40% to 70%), quartz sand (5% to
10%) and active chemicals (10% to 30%) was revealed with bulk specific gravity equal to 2.92
g/cm³, and pH in solution between 10-13. The chemicals react with the moisture in fresh
concrete with the cement hydration products which result in an insoluble crystalline structure in
the pores and capillaries of the concrete. The use of this material aims to permanently seal the
concrete against the penetration of fluids, and contribute to the protection against harsh
environmental conditions due to its low permeability. Furthermore, it is believed that the
product has self-healing capability when the concrete develops cracks less than 0.4 millimeters.

2.1.4 Chemical admixtures

We used two chemical admixtures in the mix. The plasticizer additive polyfunctional water-
reducing (Additive 1) with density 1.160∓0.02 g/cm³. And, the superplasticizer (Additive
2), chemical based polycarboxylate, density equal to 1.095∓0,02 g / cm³ and 40.0∓2%
solids. These additives are discriminated according to ASTM C 494 as Type A and F.

2.1.5 Surface treatment

The waterproofing product for the surface treatment has the same composition as the product
shown in section 2.1.3, but in different proportions. Portland Cement (10% to 50%), quartz sand
(10% to 40%) and active chemicals (30% to 60%). This is mixed with water in the ratio 2: 1
(crystalline waterproofing: water) to be applied on the concrete surface for manual application.
The surface treatment was made in concrete without additions solely to test the performance
of crystalline waterproofing applied as paint. Also, the manufacturer claims that the product

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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

develops the same performance if this is sanded or not; therefore they were tested specimens
with the surface treatment in these two situations; sanded and without sanding. To analyze the
self-healing of cracks, the product was only applied in the cracked site.

2.2. Experimental program

To achieve the objectives proposed in this paper was developed an experimental program that
enabled the analysis of the behavior of concrete subjected to different treatments, keeping the
same proportions. From the trace employed for all types of concrete tested four different
treatments were developed and these compared with each other and compared with a concrete
reference, which does not have additions and surface treatment. The other four types are:
concrete surface treated by crystalline waterproofing applied as paint, a concrete surface
treated by crystalline waterproofing applied as paint which is sanding, concrete with addition
of crystalline waterproofing and concrete with silica fume.

2.2.1 Production of concrete

The proportions of materials employed are usually used in buildings made in the region of
Porto Alegre, and is estimated to get fck of 40 MPa. The proportions are described in Table 3,
which shows the proportions of each material used.

Table 3. Proportioning of materials in mass

Materials Cement Sand Gravel 0 Gravel 1 Water Additive 1 Additive 2
Proportions 1.00 1.50 1.17 1.17 0.41 0.60 % 0.24 %
Additions Addition of waterproofing* Addition of silica fume*
Percentage 0.80 % 10.00%
Note: * The additions of waterproofing and silica fume were not used simultaneously.

The molding of the specimens was performed according to NBR 5738 (ABNT, 2003) [10].
After mixing of materials, we sought consistency specified 200 ± 30 mm [11], a parameter
fixed maintained .
For self-healing analysis testing cracks were cast seventeen specimens for the concrete
reference, and seven without surface treatment and ten with surface treatment; these ten
specimens, five passed the sanding process. Besides these were molded nine specimens with
addition of crystalline waterproofing. And finally molded up nine specimens with added silica
fume. All in prismatic molds with dimensions of 320mm long by 90mm wide and 90 mm high.
In the molding of the prismatic specimens has been inserted into the armor shape with 15 mm
spacing to ensure the stability of opening of the crack without complete rupture of the
concrete section, when it was subjected to loading. The molding process was in two layers,
with vibration ten seconds for each layer with the aid of the vibrating table in order to
maintain uniformity in the molding of the specimens. After molding, the specimens were
placed in room temperature within 24 hours. Later, they were demolded and stored in a
humidity chamber at a temperature of 23 ± 2 ° C and humidity greater than 95%, where they
remained until the dates of the tests.

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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

2.2.2 Opening cracks

The opening of the cracks was performed with the recommended apparatus in NBR 12142
(ABNT, 2010) [12]. The apparatus consists of a flexion device that ensures application of
force perpendicular to the upper and lower faces of the specimen without eccentricities, which
is applied to four points. The device maintains the parallelism between the vertical planes
through the axes of the support elements and force application, as well as the relative
distances between them. The measures to the load application were maintained for all
specimens, in which the average thirds were marked in accordance with the recommendations
in the standard. The schematic representation and the picture on the device used, as well as
the demarcation of the middle thirds are illustrated in Figure 1.

(a) (b)

Figure 1. Four-point device and demarcation of middle thirds (a) schematic representation; (b) record of
cracks opening test

The application load not followed exactly the procedure specified in NBR 12142 (ABNT,
2010) [12], since the objective was to generate the crack width and not break the specimen for
tension strength in flexure. Thus, a load of (0,45∓ 0.15) MPa/s was applied, which is
continuous and without shocks, charging stops when there is a power failure which indicates
the opening of the fissure. Importantly, the specimens were placed in the apparatus of four
points with the armor at the bottom, as opening flexion occurs at the bottom of the specimen.
The cracks were located within the middle thirds demarcated before running the test.
After opening the cracks ten concrete reference specimens received superficial treatment of
crystalline waterproofing product applied as paint on one end of the crack. Then all the
samples were kept in a humid chamber for the crystalline waterproofing cured. After five days
of wet curing, five of the specimens that received surface treatment were subjected to sanding
process. After that, the specimens were kept in climate controlled camera with temperature
25∓2°C and humidity 70∓5%.

2.2.3 Determination of ultrasonic wave transmission velocity

The test of ultrasonic wave transmission velocity was performed as recommended by NBR
8802 (ABNT, 2013) [13], according to ASTM C 597, which determines the non-destructive
test to determine the speed of propagation of longitudinal waves. The equipment used has
transducers of 28 mm diameter and frequency of 150 kHz. So that it could analyze the
influence of cracks we used indirect transmission, in which the transducers were positioned

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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

on the lower side of the specimen. The location of the crack was marked and this was the
central reference point for taking readings, as shown in Figure 2.

(a) (b)
Figure 2. Positioning statement transducers (a) schematic representation; (b) execution of readings of ultrasonic
waves in the pre-established demarcations

2.2.4 Optical microscopy

Microscopy was performed in order to analyze the self-healing of the cracks. We used the
optical microscope Zeiss Stemi 508 with magnification between 2x and 250x. Were analyzed
specifics points of the crack in a specimen of each type of treatment.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Although the mechanical properties and durability of concrete is not the focus of this paper,
Cappellesso et al. (2016) [14] found that the concrete surface treated waterproofing applied as
paint hardly changed the compressive strength compared to the concrete reference. When the
waterproofing was used as an addition to this increased concrete strength by 16%. This
behavior can be associated with the possible colmatation of the pores of the concrete with the
waterproofing product. In contrast to silica fume has proved the most efficient, an increase of
28% in compressive strength at 28 days when compared to the concrete reference.
Still the same authors observe that the use of crystalline waterproofing applied as paint
reduces the absorption of water both for the samples which have undergone the sanding
process and for those which were not subjected to this process. The addition of the concrete
waterproofing increased water absorption compared to the concrete reference. The concrete
with the addition of silica fume were more efficient than the other methods, since it showed
the greatest reduction in water absorption.

3.1. Ultrasonic wave transmission velocity

The use of ultrasonic wave transmission velocity test is effective for checking the existence of
the cracks, but the test does not show efficient when it is required to measure the depth and
the self-healing of cracks. It is believed that the use of armor at the bottom of the specimens,
the place where the cracks were opened, difficult readings of the ultrasonic waves. Since this
provides a preferred path for the passage of the wave. The cracks reduce the wave velocity
inside the concrete, however, the presence of armor should be avoided when measuring the
concrete wave velocity [1].
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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

In the Figure3 shows the evolution of the concrete according to the treatment. Note that at age
51 days there is a reduction in transmission velocity as compared to 28 days old, as expected
since the concrete at 28 days showed no crack and at 51 days they were in the recovery
process after opening of the crack. It also observes that over time all the concrete showed
recovery of their initial condition. Evaluating the possibility of concrete self-healing, the
reference to 51 days, showed a wave transmission velocity of approximately 75% compared
to the same concrete before cracking process, this also presented velocity approximate 84%
and 86% at ages 62 and 76 days. Thus it is believed that due to cement hydration reactions,
this concrete has the ability to self-healing without any treatment.

For the concrete that has passed through treatment with waterproofing paint, the velocities were
approximately 69%, 90% and 90%, for ages 51, 62 and 76 days, respectively, compared to the same
concrete before the opening of the crack. The concrete receiving as treatment with a waterproofing
paint and sanding velocity amounted to 72%, 83%, 82% for ages 51, 62 and 76 days, respectively,
compared to the same concrete before the opening of the crack. For the concrete with added
waterproofing in its mass, the rates were 71%, 76% and 81% for ages 51, 62 and 76 days,
respectively, compared to the same before the actual cracking process. Since the concrete with
addition of silica fume velocity was 74%, 86% and 93% for ages 51, 62 and 76 days, respectively,
compared to the same concrete before the opening of the crack. In this way all the concrete are in
self-healing process, but those who received the painting with the waterproofing and with the
addition of silica fume, are those with the best results for the evaluated ages.

Figure 3. Influence of treatment and the age in relation to the wave transmission velocity
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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

To study the significance of controllable variables, the treatments was held an Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA) with factor from the cross Statistic 7. The results are shown in Table 4
for testing ultrasonic wave velocity.

Table 4. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) – Ultrasonic wave transmission velocity

Effects QS DF MS Test F p Sig.
Intercept 716588928 1 716588928 25541.88 0.000000 -
Treatment 403857 4 100964 3.60 0.012690 Yes
Age 9287261 3 3095754 110.34 0.000000 Yes
Treatment *Age 739773 12 61648 2.20 0.028935 Yes
Error 1234440 44 28055 - - -
QS: Quadratic sum; DF: Degrees of freedom (n-1); MS: Mean square; Test F(calc): calculated value F; p:
significance level; If p < 5% = significant effect.

Analyzing the data presented realizes that the concrete reference had recovery of 11% crack,
this due to cement hydration as this concrete does not have any treatment. Among the concrete
that received the surface treatment with the crystalline waterproofing, without sanding the
painted had a 27% recovery, as with the sanding process was only 10% recovery. Good
concrete performance with surface treatment without sanding is because of the waterproofing
product have been inserted along the depth of the cracks increasing the self-healing capacity.
Already had the sanding process, can be justified their performance similar to the concrete
reference, before the product does not have inserted into the depth of the crack. This difference
in penetration of the product is due to how it is applied, that is, with manual application similar
to painting, and also due to the fact that the variation in thickness of the cracks.

The concrete with addition of crystalline waterproofing was 10% recovery similar to the
concrete reference and the concrete surface treated with sanding process, it can be concluded
that the addition of the product mixture has little influence on the aid of the self-healing of
cracks. But the concrete with silica fume had 19% recovery demonstrating good performance in
terms of recoverability for late hydration processes.

3.2. Optical microscopy

For the analysis of cracks using an optical microscope, it was tried to measure at predetermined
points of the specimens, the influence of the proposed methods for self-healing of cracks open.
However, we had great difficulty in analyzing this predetermined point accurately, since each
time it was performed the analysis was not possible to see exactly the same point. So, we chose
to analyze qualitatively, not quantitatively.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 can be seen the appearance of cracks in three different ages of the concrete
reference and the concrete with additions. In concrete with surface treatment were not
performed microscopic images, because the product is applied on the surface precludes any type
of analysis of the crack.

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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.Concrete reference (a) 29 days; (b) 55 days; (c) 84 days

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 5. Concrete with addition of crystalline waterproofing (a) 29 days; (b) 55 days; (c) 84 days

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 6. Concrete with addition of silica fume (a) 29 days; (b) 55 days; (c) 84 days

From the qualitative analysis of the chosen treatments, it is possible to observe that in all the
self-healing occurred with formation of some products inside the cracks with whitish color,
both for normal cement hydration as by additions introduced into the mixture. The concrete
with silica fume has a amount of formation of higher crystals than the analyzed other
concrete. However, the concrete with addition of crystalline waterproofing there also crystal
formation, visibly perceivable, which is apparently higher than the concrete reference.

4. CONCLUSIONS
The test of ultrasonic wave transmission velocity was efficient as a matter of self-healing,

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 Vanessa G. Cappellesso, Natália dos S. Petry, Denise C.C. Dal Molin and Angela B. Masuero

since it was possible to see the speed increase in almost all studied concrete. This can be
noted that, though those who received the painting with the crystalline waterproofing and with
the addition of silica fume, are those with the best results. Microscopic analysis was efficient
to analyze the possible self-healing, but it is believed that it had no significant results due to
the short time span for analysis. Expected to observe the specimens for an extended period of
time, the results can differ significantly, whereas in all the concrete it was possible to check
the visible depth of the cracks in the formation of some crystals, which are more visible in
concrete with silica fume . Both methods used for analysis were adequate to check for cracks.

REFERENCES
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[5] NBR NM 65: Portland cement - Determination of setting times. Rio de Janeiro, 2002.
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[8] NBR NM 52: Fine aggregate - Determination of the bulk specific gravity and apparent
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[9] NBR NM 53: Coarse aggregate - Determination of the bulk specific gravity, apparent
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[11] NBR NM 67: Concrete - Slump test for determination of the consistency. Rio de Janeiro,
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[14] CAPPELLESSO, V. G.; PETRY, N. S.; DAL MOLIN, D.C.C.; MASUERO, A.B.
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