Sika joined a major Canadian research alliance uniting McGill University, Université Laval, and Polytechnique Montréal. In collaboration with INSA Strasbourg, Lausanne University, ETH Zurich, De la Rochelle University and Geneve University. This alliance has launched a groundbreaking project to better understand how concrete structures age — especially when cracking comes into play.
Sustainable Concrete Starts Here: Testing Materials Under True Service Conditions
Concrete infrastructures operate in demanding environments. They endure mechanical loads, temperature variations, moisture, chlorides, and other chemical agents throughout their service life. Traditionally, laboratory tests have attempted to simulate these conditions, but many fall short of mirroring what happens in the field. Cracks may close once loads are removed, tests often use unreinforced specimens, and microcracking effects remain difficult to observe. As a result, conventional measurements do not fully capture the true behavior of real structures.
To address this challenge, the research team is developing a new generation of experimental methods that contribute to sustainable concrete solutions. A key innovation is the ability to maintain mechanical loading on concrete while measuring the transport of chlorides and alkalis — a fundamental improvement, since in real structures cracks remain open under load. By combining advanced loading systems with state-of-the-art diffusion cells, the team can now study water and ion penetration in concrete that is both reinforced and kept under sustained stress.
This allows for a detailed investigation of:
- the impact of cracking water permeability,
- the diffusion of chlorides and alkaline ions, and the
- effectiveness of sealing or protection products.
Where Science Meets Structure: Improving Predictive Models for Concrete Infrastructure
Alongside experimental advances, the project integrates sophisticated numerical modeling tools. These models simulate the movement of water and ions through concrete — and importantly, account for the presence and behavior of cracks. The research program is working to calibrate these models using the newly developed, highly realistic laboratory tests. The final step is to validate them directly on real structures.
By bridging laboratory research, numerical modeling, and real-world validation, the project aims to deliver more accurate predictions of the long-term performance of concrete infrastructure. This improved understanding will help engineers better anticipate deterioration, optimize maintenance strategies, and ultimately extend the service life of critical concrete assets.
In short, this collaborative effort represents an important leap forward in the science of concrete durability — with meaningful implications for safer, longer lasting structures across the built environment.