The Effects of Internal Curing and Shrinkage Cracking Avoidance on the Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete Walls with Superabsorbent Polymers
Source abstract
Abstract
The pursuit of durable and sustainable construction has driven interest in innovative materials, with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) emerging as a promising solution, especially for the concrete industry. SAPs offer significant benefits to the durability of concrete structures, including mitigation of autogenous shrinkage, enhanced freeze–thaw resistance, crack sealing, and stimulation of autogenous healing. This study focuses on the impact of internal curing with SAPs on crack formation and corrosion initiation in large-scale reinforced concrete walls (14 m × 2.75 m × 0.8 m). Both commercial SAPs based on acrylic acid chemistry and in-house-developed SAPs based on alginates were evaluated. Key findings reveal that the reference wall exhibited visible cracking just five days after casting, while the SAP-treated wall remained crack-free throughout a 24-month monitoring period. Moreover, the reference wall showed corrosion initiation at two locations near the cracks within six months, whereas the SAP-treated wall exhibited no signs of corrosion potential. Laboratory tests further demonstrated a slight reduction in chloride penetration and carbonation in SAP-treated specimens compared to the reference. These results highlight the efficacy of SAPs in enhancing the durability and longevity of reinforced concrete structures.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete Properties and Behavior · Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, Campus A, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
SIM vzw, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 48, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
Building, Architecture & Town Planning (BATir) Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 50 av F.D. Roosevelt, CP 194/02, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Funding
SIM program SHE (Engineered Self-Healing Materials) within the ICON project iSAP (Innovative SuperAbsorbent Polymers for crack mitigation and increased service life of concrete structures)
References (43)
Show source-provided references
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