Comparison of the behavior of PVA-ECC and normal concrete material in crack and leakage control in liquid containing structures

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One of the key issues in the design of concrete liquid containing structures (CLCS) is their crackingcharacteristics and its relation to the liquid leakage. A consistent knowledge on this matter is essential to ensureif the serviceability requirements are met. The previous research conducted in this area is very limited. Most ofthe available literature is focused on the leakage behavior of typical beam sections made of normal concreteunder simple static loading. The lack of empirical data on the permeability behavior of slab or wall sectionsmade of smart material under combinations of loadings is felt in the literature. This study intends to addressthis issue both analytically, using the non-linear finite element (FE) analysis and experimentally, measuring theleakage rate in the loaded specimens under pressurized water as a function of the crack conditions and time.The issue is of particular significance for CLCS used in lifeline facility capacities such as in municipal watersupply, sewage treatment, firefighting, nuclear industry, etc. In such applications, due to functionality reasons,crack and leakage control is the main concern and an uncontrolled cracking could lead to irreparableconsequences. The major issue to be emphasized in this research is the development of cracks leading touncontrollable leakage in the vulnerable regions of the containment walls due to different loading applicationsincluding seismic. Current design codes do not address this issue adequately and it is left to design engineers toconservatively consider it in their design, thus necessitating a more detailed and focused investigation. Themain objective of this research is to assess and compare the performance of self-healing ECC (EngineeredCementitious Composites) and normal concrete material in controlling the crack/leakage in CLCS in an effortto achieve the most desired water tightness characteristics in this type of structures. In this relation, it isproposed that various loading types and stress combinations be induced in specimens representing a reinforcedcontainer wall and their water-tightness behavior be examined then.