Numerical investigation of crack self-sealing in cement-based composites with superabsorbent polymers

Rodriguez, Cláudia Romero; Figueiredo, Stefan Chaves; Deprez, Maxim; Snoeck, Didier; Schlangen, Erik; Šavija, Branko

doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.103395

Cited by 31 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Therefore, the permeability was lower in between SAP macropores in samples containing SAPs than of reference samples. This was also shown by using neutron radiography [35,36] and supported by modeling on mesoscale level [56,57].…”

Section: Changing the Microstructure To Increase The Freeze-thaw Resistance By The Formation Of An Internal Void Systemsupporting

confidence: 56%

5 Superabsorbent polymers as a solution for various problems in construction engineering

Snoeck¹

2021

Superabsorbent Polymers

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One of the most-used man-made materials is concrete, a mixture of cement, sand, aggregates, water, and admixtures. It can be seen everywhere: in tunnels, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Ever since concrete was rediscovered two centuries ago, it has been studied in detail in order to optimize the material and to solve its inherent problems. Most people know that concrete is gray, hard, and strong, and expect it to last decades and even centuries. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Concrete is a material which can cope with high compressive forces but when it is subjected to tensile forces, it may crack. This cracking is based on several environmental and loading conditions, but the fact that concrete is prone to crack is a big issue. When cracking occurs and potentially harmful substances enter the interior of concrete, the concrete matrix may be damaged and even be destroyed. That is the reason why a lot of maintenance and repair works are due in order to increase the durability and lifetime of structures in civil engineering. One way of dealing with these issues is the modification of the material itself, making it less prone to cracking and the durability-related consequences. An example is the use of reinforcements, coping with the tensile forces when concrete cracks. Cracks are not harmful but intruding substances may trigger the corrosion of the iron rebars leading to structural failure, which is again unwanted. In consequence, along the history, different materials were investigated and added to concrete to solve the previous adverted problems. So, why not try adding the white powder superabsorbent polymers in the cementitious material in order to solve these issues?

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Section: Changing the Microstructure To Increase The Freeze-thaw Resistance By The Formation Of An Internal Void Systemsupporting

confidence: 56%

5 Superabsorbent polymers as a solution for various problems in construction engineering

Snoeck¹

2021

Superabsorbent Polymers

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“…The decrease in permeability can be enhanced further by the use of expansive agents [131]. All this information is currently used in threedimensional mesoscale numerical models to simulate capillary absorption of water in sound and cracked cement-based materials containing SAP [54, 132,133]. The experimental results are used as validation and will optimize the application of SAP and the practical applications.…”

Section: Self-sealingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of super absorbent polymers (SAP) in concrete construction—update of RILEM state-of-the-art report

et al. 2021

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Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are a new, promising class of chemical admixtures which offer new possibilities in respect of influencing the properties of cement-based materials in the fresh, hardening, and hardened states. Much research work has been done in the last two decades to set the stage for introducing this truly multipurpose agent into the practice of construction. In particular, three RILEM Technical Committees: 196-ICC, 225-SAP and 260-RSC contributed considerably to the related progress by coordinating and combining the efforts of international experts in the field. The major product of the RILEM TC 225-SAP work was the State-of-the-Art Report published in 2012. This comprehensive document covered all topics relevant to the application of SAP as a concrete admixture. Since then further important progress has been made in understanding the working mechanisms of SAP in concrete and the effects of SAP-addition on various concrete properties. The article at hand presents an update on the state-of-the-art and is the concluding document delivered by the RILEM TC 260-RSC.

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“…Studies have reported on SAP-induced changes in cement composite properties after Jensen et al proposed SAP as a water-entraining admixture for internal curing in high-performance concrete [1,2]. It has been reported that SAPs can reduce the permeability of water through cracks when cracks occur in cement composites [3,4,5,6]. It also has been reported that SAPs heal cracks by supplying moisture to cement composites [7,8,9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Effective Water-to-Cement Ratios on Internal Damage and Salt Scaling of Concrete with Superabsorbent Polymer

et al. 2019

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Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is attracting attention as a water-entraining admixture that reduces shrinkage or heals cracks in concrete. Cross-linked sodium polyacrylate SAPs, which are the most widely produced SAPs in the global market, are applicable as concrete admixtures. However, there have been contradictory results on the freeze–thaw resistance of concrete with SAPs. This study aims to clarify these results considering the water absorption behavior of SAPs in hardened concrete when effective water-to-cement ratios are different. Firstly, the absorbencies of one kind of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate SAP (SAP_SP) in pore solution and fresh mortar were measured by a tea bag test and flow test, respectively. Pore size distribution, capillary water absorption, and deformation during freeze–thaw cycles were analyzed for mortar samples with varying SAP_SP dosages. In the main tests, concrete samples with three different SAP_SPs/cement ratios (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) and a reference sample were prepared, and internal damage and salt scaling were measured under freeze–thaw cycles. Because SAP_SP absorbs water in fresh mixtures, additional water was added to the mixture considering the water absorbency of the SAP_SP. It was found that the used SAP_SPs prematurely release their stored water so the effective water-to-cement ratio was increased when a larger amount of SAP_SP was used. The higher effective water-to-cement ratio caused more internal damage and salt scaling due to the weaker cementitious matrix. In addition, mortar samples with a high SAP_SP content show a larger absorption of capillary water than the reference sample. The result can be interpreted by an observation that SAP_SP in air voids absorbs water and expands to relatively large capillary pores or neighbor air voids during the capillary water absorption process.

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Numerical investigation of crack self-sealing in cement-based composites with superabsorbent polymers

Cited by 31 publications

References 44 publications

5 Superabsorbent polymers as a solution for various problems in construction engineering

5 Superabsorbent polymers as a solution for various problems in construction engineering

Application of super absorbent polymers (SAP) in concrete construction—update of RILEM state-of-the-art report

Influence of Effective Water-to-Cement Ratios on Internal Damage and Salt Scaling of Concrete with Superabsorbent Polymer

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