Water Penetration of Masonry Walls with a Hydrophobic Additive

Many Army facilities are made of common construction materials such as concrete masonry.  These materials are highly porous and therefore susceptible to the intrusion of moisture and associated waterborne particles. These particles can cause corrosion of the reinforcement and promote mold and mildew growth in confined spaces.  Waterproofing solutions for concrete structures exist; however, they are expensive.  Most waterproofing membranes and surface treatments require maintenance over the life of the structure.  This problem affects all military construction where water migration through the masonry impacts the life and durability of the constructed facility, especially those near coastal zones.

 A product produced by Hycrete, Inc. possesses hydrophobic properties that prevent moisture migration and reduce the costs of maintenance and repair requirements associated with corrosion of reinforcement and moisture-induced problems.  The Hycrete product is a concrete admixture that reduces the water absorption properties of cementitious products, such as CMU block, mortar, and grout.  As a result, Hycrete additive reduces the mold potential and protects concrete masonry walls from deterioration due to water penetration.

 This study evaluates the performance of a Hycrete solution admixture in resisting water penetration through concrete masonry walls subjected to wind-driven rain.  Masonry walls, with and without Hycrete additive, were tested for water penetration by simulating wind-driven rain for a period of four hours. The water that penetrated each wall was measured and a comparison made between the walls with and without the additive.  In addition tests of masonry flexural bond strength, compressive strength, diagonal tension (shear), and compressive strength of mortars were performed to ensure that the application of Hycrete does not compromise the structural performance of the system.