Assessment of the potential of superabsorbent polymers as internal curing agents in concrete by means of optical fiber sensors. (30th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tenório Filho, José Roberto; Mannekens, Els; Van Tittelboom, Kim; Snoeck, Didier; De Belie, Nele
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 238(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-30
• Subjects: Autogenous shrinkage -- Superabsorbent polymers -- Hydrogels -- Optical fiber sensors -- Concrete monitoring; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117751
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: "In-house" developed SAPs can mitigate autogenous in concrete. "In-house" developed SAPs can reduce total shrinkage in concrete. Optical fiber sensors perform better than mechanical strain gauges. Embedded optical fiber sensors can identify the crack formation in the concrete. Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have been widely explored in concrete technology for their promising application as internal curing agents. SAPs reduce shrinkage deformation and the risk of early-age cracking. In this paper, the efficiency of SAPs is assessed with mechanical strain gauges and long-gauge optical fiber sensors embedded inside the matrix. Two commercial and two in-house developed SAPs are used. The commercial SAPs and one of the in-house developed SAPs completely mitigated the autogenous shrinkage of concrete and all four reduced in 30% the total shrinkage. The optical fiber sensors performed better than the mechanical strain gauges and identified crack formation.