Application of Superabsorbent Polymer as Self-Healing Agent in Self-Consolidating Concrete for Mitigating Precracking Phenomenon at the Rebar–Concrete Interface
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 10
Abstract
Improved autogenous healing capacity of concrete using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) was used as an efficient approach for mitigating damage between steel rebar and self-consolidating concrete (SCC). The results for normal concrete (NC) and those for SCC mixtures were compared. Two SAPs with different particle sizes and chemical compositions were used in the experimental program. Results showed that despite the greater reduction effect of SAP with a smaller particle size on compressive strength, SCC containing this type of SAP had the highest bond strength in uncracked specimens, compared with SAP with larger particle sizes, for SAP-modified NC and SCC mixtures. Moreover, results showed that SCC and NC containing SAP had considerably greater healing improvement factors for large crack widths () compared with mixtures without polymers; almost 46%, 30%, and 24% healing improvement factors were obtained for average bond stress, bond strength, and residual bond stress of SAP-containing concrete mixtures, respectively. Furthermore, complete strength recovery (100% healing improvement factor) was obtained for SCC mixture with after a 28-day healing period.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank ÉTS Montréal technical staff for support in our experiments. FRQNT is acknowledged for partial funding of this study.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 10 • October 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 11, 2020
Accepted: Feb 10, 2021
Published online: Jul 23, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 23, 2021
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