Influence of thickness on mechanical properties and crack-bridging ability of coatings for concrete

Different variables can influence the crack-bridging ability (CBA) of a coating. These parameters can be related to: (i) the substrate, i.e. the way the crack opens and develops in the concrete; (ii) the substrate/coating interface, i.e. the adhesion of the organic coating to the concrete; (iii) the coating, i.e. its thickness and mechanical properties; (iv) the external conditions, i.e. the temperature in field and the mechanical solicitation of the structure. In the present paper, some experiments were performed to analyse the third point, i.e. to find possible relationships between the variation of the CBA (in situ failure of the coating applied to the concrete substrate) and the mechanical properties (free-film failure) of coatings with thickness. Experimental results suggest that the value of strain at break is a key factor in the variation of CBA of a coating with thickness.