Innovative SuperAbsorbent Polymers (iSAPs) to construct crack-free reinforced concrete walls: An in-field large-scale testing campaign. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tenório Filho, José Roberto; Mannekens, Els; Van Tittelboom, Kim; Van Vlierberghe, Sandra; De Belie, Nele; Snoeck, Didier
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 43(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Hydrogels -- Shrinkage -- Cracking -- Optical fiber sensors -- Concrete walls -- Demonstrator; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Although a lot of research has been performed with the use of Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in cementitious materials, there is still a lack of studies describing the use of SAPs in large-scale concrete structures under realistic conditions. This paper presents results of an in-field testing campaign where SAPs were used in a large-scale demonstrator. Commercial SAPs and in-house-developed SAPs (constituted of an alkali-stable and alkali-unstable crosslinker, for a tailored swelling behavior) were used. Five reinforced-concrete walls (14 m × 2.75 m × 0.80 m) were built and monitored with regards to shrinkage-cracking with demountable strain gauges and optical-fiber sensors. A laboratory campaign was performed simultaneously to characterize the concrete mixtures. The addition of SAPs promoted a reduction of up to 75% of shrinkage strains in the first 7 days. No cracks have developed in the SAP walls up to 5 months, while the reference wall cracked 5 days after casting. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: SAPs eliminate shrinkage cracks in real-size structures in realistic conditions. In-house-developed SAPs are promising admixtures. Specimens' size and environment conditions affect the shrinkage mitigation by SAPs. Even partial mitigation of shrinkage reduces the risk of cracking.