Determination of loss of reinforcement due to corrosion through X-ray computer micro-tomography

X-ray computer scanning tomography (CT scan) is an increasingly more available technique, which has been applied to material sciences for years. Although most of its use is qualitative for gaining insights on material behavior, quantitative analysis for estimations of deterioration rates is possible. This paper describes an unbiased,...

X-Ray Micro Tomography of Water Absorption by Superabsorbent Polymers in Mortar

Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) have been recently subject of investigation as smart admixtures for cement-based materials. The properties of these polymers enable their use for internal curing, increasing freeze/thaw resistance, boosting autogenous self-healing and providing a crack self-sealing effect in cementitious composites. Except for...

Fundamental investigation on the frost resistance of mortar with microencapsulated phase change materials

Recent studies have shown that concrete containing Phase Change Materials (PCM) with low transition temperatures may reduce the number of freeze/thaw cycles suffered by the cementitious composite in temperate climates. Nevertheless, the positive influence of such admixtures on the frost resistance of cement-based materials has not been...

Chemo-physico-mechanical properties of the interface zone between bacterial PLA self-healing capsules and cement paste

In this study, the interface between different types of bacteria-embedded self-healing polylactic acid capsules (PLA) and cement paste is investigated. Particularly, the changes in microstructure and mechanical properties of the interface with respect to bulk cement paste were studied. First, nanoindentation was performed to obtain maps of...

Frost Damage Progression Studied Through X-Ray tomography In Mortar With Phase Change Materials

The potential of using phase change materials (PCM) in cementitious materials to mitigate damage due to thermal loadings has been recently focus of intensive research. In the case of PCM with transition temperatures near to the freezing point of water, their potential to delay frost in a cementitious matrix has been largely investigated through...

Development of ductile cementitious composites incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials

Abstract In the past two decades, much research has been devoted to overcoming the inherent brittleness of cementitious materials. To that end, several solutions have been proposed, mainly utilizing fibres. One of the most promising classes of materials is strain hardening cementitious composite (SHCC). It utilizes PVA fibres, and it is...