The Effect of Different Chemical Conditions on the Properties of Waterproofing Materials and Insulated Concrete

One of the biggest problems of reinforced concrete structures is that concrete loses its strength over time and its service life decreases as a result of contact with water. The penetration of water and the chemicals it contains into the reinforced concrete structural element creates negative physical and chemical effects due to the permeable structure of concrete. For this reason, waterproofing applications are made with various insulation materials to protect the concrete against water. One of these methods is using waterproofing materials against the influence of groundwater in foundations, which are one of the most important building elements. In this study, bitumen and polyurethane-based waterproofing materials and concrete samples insulated with these materials were exposed to different chemical conditions. Bitumen and polyurethane-based waterproofing samples prepared in 2, 3 and 4 mm thickness were kept in 5% and 15% concentrated magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate solutions for 28 days. Insulation was applied to concrete samples that were produced in the C25/30 class with the same insulation materials, and the obtained samples were kept in 7.5% and 15% concentrated magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate solutions for 28 and 56 days. While mass change, maximum stress, and elongation at break tests are performed on waterproofing samples; Mass change, ultrasound, pressure, bending strength, and splitting tensile strength tests were carried out on insulated concrete samples. According to the test results, it has been determined that polyurethane-based waterproofing material is more resistant to chemicals than bitumen-based material and gives better results in terms of both strength and mass change.