Effect of Cracking on Mass Transport of Building Materials

The influence of crack due to freeze-thaw cycles on the mass transport of concrete materials has been studied. Different degree of cracking was produced by different freeze-thaw cycles. The mass loss of the concrete specimen after different cycles was chosen as the main parameter to describe the cracking state. Carbonation and chloride diffusion test were carried out. Results indicated that both of the carbonation depth and the chloride penetration rate were increased due to the internal cracking of materials. The more serious the concrete was damaged, the greater was the carbonation depth and the chloride migrate coefficient. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2010377]