Water permeability of reinforced concrete with and without fiber subjected to static and constant tensile loading

In this study, an innovative permeability device allowing permeability measurement simultaneously to loading was used to investigate the water permeability and self-healing of reinforced concrete. The experimental conditions focused on normal strength concrete (NSC) and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) tie specimens under static and constant tensile loadings. Crack pattern and crack openings under the same loadings were measured on companion specimens. Experimental results emphasized the positive contribution of fibers to the durability of reinforced concrete. Under static tensile loading, the FRC tie specimens were 60% to 70% less permeable than the NSC tie specimens at the same level of stress in the reinforcement. After 6 days of constant loading, the FRC showed greater self-healing capacity with a reduction in water penetration of 70% in comparison to 50% for the NSC. The main cause of self-healing was the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).