Volume 19 Issue 3
Sep.  2026
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents
Article Navigation >  Water Science and Engineering  > 2026  >  19(3): 469-480
Jie Ren, Wei-jun Sun, Yuan Wang, Xiao Tan, Yu Jiao, Cheng-cheng Peng. 2026: A novel debonding failure test method for polyurea-composite anti-seepage coatings in water conveyance tunnels. Water Science and Engineering, 19(3): 469-480. doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2026.04.001
Citation: Jie Ren, Wei-jun Sun, Yuan Wang, Xiao Tan, Yu Jiao, Cheng-cheng Peng. 2026: A novel debonding failure test method for polyurea-composite anti-seepage coatings in water conveyance tunnels. Water Science and Engineering, 19(3): 469-480. doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2026.04.001
shu

A novel debonding failure test method for polyurea-composite anti-seepage coatings in water conveyance tunnels

doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2026.04.001

  • a. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China;

  • b. The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China;

  • c. China South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Corporation Limited, Beijing 100097, China;

  • d. Institute of Civil Engineering and Intelligent Management, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China

Funds:

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 52209129, U23B20144, and U2240210).

  • Received Date: 2025-06-11
  • Accepted Date: 2026-04-01
    Abstract
  • Polyurea composites are widely used as anti-seepage materials in hydraulic structures. Although the pull-off adhesion test is commonly employed to evaluate their performance, it may not accurately predict their impermeability under field conditions. To address this limitation, a new testing device was developed to directly assess the impermeability of polyurea composites under both forward and reverse hydraulic pressure, thereby circumventing the effects of adhesive bond strength and material cohesive strength. Concrete surface coating tests using traditional pull-off adhesion and new hydraulic adhesion methods revealed that polyurea composites exhibited excellent anti-seepage performance under forward hydraulic action but weaker debonding resistance under reverse hydraulic action. The bonding area and substrate smoothness significantly affected the resistance of the coating to water pressure. Increasing the bonding area by 7.5% improved bond strength under hydraulic action by 80% and 86% for concrete and sandstone substrates, respectively. The traditional pull-off adhesion test overestimated the anti-seepage performance under reverse pressure, yielding average peel strength values being 106% higher than those obtained from the new water pressure test. Under cyclic water pressure, the resistance of the material improved, and the coating demonstrated self-healing properties. This study provides valuable insights for assessing polyurea performance in water conveyance tunnels and enhancing the durability of anti-seepage coatings.

     

    • FullText(HTML)
  • loading
    • References(39)
  • [1]
    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 2022a. Standard Test Method for Pull-off Adhesion Strength of Coatings on Concrete Using Portable Pull-Off Adhesion Testers. ASTM D7234-22. ASTM, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D7234-22.
    [2]
    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 2022b. Standard Test Method for Pull-off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers. ASTM D4541-22. ASTM, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4541-22.
    [3]
    Benzarti, K., Chataigner, S., Quiertant, M., Marty, C., Aubagnac, C., 2011. Accelerated ageing behaviour of the adhesive bond between concrete specimens and CFRP overlays. Construction and Building Materials 25(2), 523-538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.08.003.
    [4]
    Bodin, C., 2013. Energy Storage and Dissipation in Polyurea Composites. Undergraduate Thesis. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.
    [5]
    China Association for Engineering Construction Standardization (CECS), 2020. Technical Specification for Application of Polyurea Coating T/CECS 679-2020. CECS, Beijing (in Chinese).zh.
    [6]
    Cui, Z., Sun, Z., Li, M., Liu, J., 2019. Repair technology for joint damage of sealing cover plate of concrete faced rockfill dam. EDP Sciences 136, 04051. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201913604051.
    [7]
    Francke, B., Piekarczuk, A., 2020. Experimental investigation of adhesion failure between waterproof coatings and terrace tiles under usage loads. Buildings 10(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10030059.
    [8]
    Gan, G., Han, W., Jing, F., Shao, X., Li, Z., Wang, Z., 2017. Application and research on polyurea surface protection material CW620 for concrete in Chuanhuang Tunnel of South North Water Diversion Project. New Chemical Materials 45(1), 223-225 (in Chinese)zh.
    [9]
    General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ), 2009. Standard for Test Methods of Long-Term Performance and Durability of Ordinary Concrete. GB/T 50082-2009. AQSIQ, Beijing.
    [10]
    Ha, S.K., Lee, H.K., Kang, I.S., 2016. Structural behavior and performance of water pipes rehabilitated with a fast-setting polyurea-urethane lining. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 52, 192-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2015.12.003.
    [11]
    He, H., Tang, X., Lin, S., Yan, Z., Li, D., 2022. Field experiments and numerical simulations for two types of steel tube lining structures under high internal pressure. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 120, 104272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104272.
    [12]
    Hicks, J., Kaushal, V., Jamali, K., 2022. A comparative review of trenchless cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) with spray applied pipe lining (SAPL) renewal methods for pipelines. Frontiers in Water 4, 904821. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2022.904821.
    [13]
    Howarth, G.A., 2003. Polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions and polyureas: Past, present and future. Surface Coatings International Part B: Coatings Transactions 86(2), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02699621.
    [14]
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 2023. Paints and Varnishes - Pull-off Test for Adhesion. ISO 4624. ISO, Geneva.
    [15]
    Jiao, Y., Wang, Y., Feng, D., Gong, J., Niu, Y., Hu, S., Ren, J., 2023. Laboratory study on fluid-induced fracture slip and permeability evolution in marble fractures. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 56, 2497-2513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-03168-0.
    [16]
    Li, B., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Li, Z., 2017. Study on the polyurea-coat debonding failure of impervious structure in contraction joints. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 48(1), 70-77 (in Chinese). https://doi.org/10.13243/j.cnki.slxb.20160649.zh.
    [17]
    Li, B., Zhang, Z., Wang, X., Liu, X., 2019. Investigation on the debonding failure model of anchored polyurea coating under a high-velocity water flow and its application. Sustainability 11(5), 1261. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051261.
    [18]
    Li, B., Li, X., Li, Y., 2020. Study on durability and life prediction of polyurea composite anti-seepage coatings. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 51(3), 268-275 (in Chinese). https://doi.org/10.13243/j.cnki.slxb.20190890.zh.
    [19]
    Liu, B., Zhu, G., Ding, P., 2013. The research progress of epoxy resin coating in building waterproof. Advanced Materials Research 671, 1779-1782. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.671-674.1779.
    [20]
    Liu, C., Shi, B., Zhou, J., Tang, C., 2011. Quantification and characterization of microporosity by image processing, geometric measurement and statistical methods: Application on SEM images of clay materials. Applied Clay Science 54(1), 97-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2011.07.022.
    [21]
    Liu, X., Liu, G., Li, T., 2012. Study on application technique standard of spraying polyurea as anti-seepage layer for high arch dams. In: Proceedings of Earth and Space 2012: Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments. ASCE, Reston, pp. 996-1002. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412190.107.
    [22]
    Liu, Y., Yan, J., Cen, M., Fang, Q., Liu, Z., Li, Y., 2016. A graded index for evaluating precipitation heterogeneity in China. Journal of Geographical Sciences 26(6), 673-693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-016-1292-1.
    [23]
    Luo, J., Wang, T., Sim, C., Li, Y., 2022. Mini-review of self-healing mechanism and formulation optimization of polyurea coating. Polymers 14(14), 2808. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142808.
    [24]
    Maj, M., Ubysz, A., 2022. The reasons for the loss of polyurea coatings adhesion to the concrete substrate in chemically aggressive water tanks. Engineering Failure Analysis 142, 106774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2022.106774.
    [25]
    Negele, O., Funke, W., 1996. Internal stress and wet adhesion of organic coatings. Progress in Organic Coatings 28(4), 285-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9440(95)00606-0.
    [26]
    Ping, Z., Youwei, L., Chengqing, Y., Jian, L., 2009. Erosion behaviors of elastic polymer coatings. In: Luo, J., Meng, Y., Shao, T., Zhao, Q. (Eds.), Advanced Tribology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03653-8_244.
    [27]
    Shen, X., Dong, Z., Sim, C., Li, Y., 2022. A comparative study on the self-healing characterizations and formulation optimization of polyurea coating. Polymers 14(17), 3520. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173520.
    [28]
    Shojaei, B., Najafi, M., Yazdanbakhsh, A., Abtahi, M., Zhang, C., 2021. A review on the applications of polyurea in the construction industry. Polymers for Advanced Technologies 32(8), 2797-2812. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.5277.
    [29]
    Szafran, J., Matusiak, A., 2016. Polyurea coating systems: Definition, research, applications. In: Lightweight Structures in Civil Engineering - Contemporary Problems - Monograph from Scientific Conference of IASS Polish Chapters. University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, pp. 103-110.
    [30]
    Tang, M., Wang, C., Yang, H., Lu, J., Yu, H., 2022. Experimental investigation on plugging performance of nanospheres in low-permeability reservoir with bottom water. Advances in Geo-Energy Research 6(2), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.02.02.
    [31]
    Teng, L., Valipour, M., Khayat, K.H., 2021. Design and performance of low shrinkage UHPC for thin bonded bridge deck overlay. Cement and Concrete Composites 118, 103953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.103953.
    [32]
    Teng, L., Wei, J., Khayat, K.H., Assaad, J.J., 2023. Effect of competitive adsorption between specialty admixtures and superplasticizer on structural build-up and hardened property of mortar phase of ultra-high-performance concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites 141, 105130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105130.
    [33]
    Toutanji, H.A., Choi, H., Wong, D., Gilbert, J.A., Alldredge, D.J., 2013. Applying a polyurea coating to high-performance organic cementitious materials. Construction and Building Materials 38, 1170-1179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.09.041.
    [34]
    Wazarkar, K., Kathalewar, M., Sabnis, A., 2017. High performance polyurea coatings based on cardanol. Progress in Organic Coatings 106, 96-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2017.02.005.
    [35]
    Yamada, T., Tsukuda, Y., Katsui, K., Watanabe, Y., Miyagawa, T., 2011. Evaluation for durability of concrete surface coating method from the viewpoint of adhesion performance of coating films. Journal of the Society of Materials Science, Japan 60(8), 715-720. https://doi.org/10.2472/JSMS.60.715.
    [36]
    Yang, F., Cao, S., Qin, G., 2018. Mechanical behavior of two kinds of prestressed composite linings: A case study of the Yellow River Crossing Tunnel in China. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 79, 96-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.04.036.
    [37]
    Yuan, Y., Jiang, X., Liu, X., 2013. Predictive maintenance of shield tunnels. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 38(3), 69-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2013.05.004.
    [38]
    Zhang, Y., 2017. Study on the Design and Mechanism of Polyurea Composite Impervious System. Ph.D. Dissertation. China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing (in Chinese).zh.
    [39]
    Zhong, P., Li, J., 2011. Adhesion behavior of polyurea coating system on concrete surface. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection 31(5), 348-355 (in Chinese).zh.
    • Relative Articles
    • Supplements(0)
    • Cited By
  • 加载中

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索

    Figures(2)

    Get Citation
    PDF
    XML

    Article Metrics

    Article views (6) PDF downloads(0) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    Copyright © 2009 Editorial office of Water Science and Engineering 苏ICP备12023610号-1

    Supported by: Beijing Renhe Information Technology Co. Ltd   support: info@rhhz.net

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return