Overview
ISO/TS 16774-5:2017 specifies a laboratory test method for evaluating watertightness of repair materials used to stop water-leakage cracks in underground concrete structures. The standard defines a permeability (leakage) test in which repair materials are injected into a prepared test specimen with an artificial crack and subjected to hydrostatic pressure. Results are intended for comparative performance evaluation between products of the same material family; precise test parameters are adapted to national testing requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Laboratory permeability testing to assess watertightness of injection-type repair materials (e.g., polyurethane, mastic, cementitious grouts) for water-leakage cracks.
- Principle: Assess impermeability by monitoring leakage under a specified hydrostatic water pressure, determining qualitative pass/fail behaviour.
- Apparatus: Permeability test chamber and air compressor capable of the pressure ranges indicated in the standard (example range ~0.1 to 0.3 N/mm2 for hydrostatic testing in the informative example).
- Test specimen preparation:
- Two flat, cylindrical substrate parts (concrete or mortar) are assembled with spacers to form an artificial crack.
- Example substrate mix and curing guidance are given (e.g., mix ratio water:cement:fine aggregate = 1:2:6; curing ~72 h), though these can be adjusted per national procedures.
- Pinholes and flushing protocols are used to verify leakage paths and ensure substrate wetting prior to injection.
- Procedure: Inject repair material following manufacturer or national methods, place specimen in the permeability chamber, apply water pressure (output method), observe and record leakage over the test duration.
- Results & reporting:
- Qualitative assessment: material either leaks or remains watertight under test pressure.
- Test report requirements include material identification, production data, test conditions, specimen details, equipment, and full test data.
Applications and users
- Primary users: Materials manufacturers, testing laboratories, infrastructure owners, repair contractors, and specification engineers.
- Practical uses:
- Comparative benchmarking of waterproofing repair products.
- Pre-selection of repair materials for underground concrete works (tunnels, basements, utilities).
- Supporting product data sheets and technical approvals where national test parameters are applied.
- Limitations: Results are comparative and laboratory-based; field trials and site-specific testing are recommended for full performance verification.
Related standards
- ISO/TR 16475 - Guidelines for the repair of water-leakage cracks in concrete structures.
- Other parts of the ISO/TS 16774 series covering additional test methods for repair material properties.
Keywords: ISO/TS 16774-5:2017, watertightness test, permeability testing, repair materials, water-leakage cracks, underground concrete structures, artificial crack, hydrostatic pressure.