CBA RESULTS: coatings H+T and C+A
The curves present a maximum that can be related to the propagation of cracks through the thickness of the coating starting from the stiffer layer H in direct contact with the concrete substrate; the stress decrease was not accompanied by evidence of cracks until they were present in the whole thickness of the coating.
The maximum of the curves was obtained at the opening of cracks through the whole thickness of the coating; then, the value of displacement at this maximum was considered as the measure of the crack-bridging ability of this coating.