Effective chloride barrier for reinforced concrete structures in order to extend the service-life

Abstract

Capillary suction of concrete is one of the different processes, which reduce the potential service life of reinforced concrete structures substantially. If concrete is exposed to marine environment or in permanent or periodical contact with saline water dissolved chloride can be transported into the porous structure of concrete during capillary absorption of water. By surface impregnation of concrete with silane (protective surface impregnation) or by adding silane to fresh concrete (integral water repellent concrete), capillary suction can be practically suppressed. As a consequence chlorides can not penetrate into water repellent concrete or at least at a substantially reduced rate. It may be concluded that service life of reinforced concrete structures may be considerably increased by making concrete water repellent.