Mortar-mini -vascular networks filled with nanolimes: an innovative biomimetic approach for enhancing resilience in built heritage

De Nardi, Cristina and Giorgi, Rodorico 2025. Mortar-mini -vascular networks filled with nanolimes: an innovative biomimetic approach for enhancing resilience in built heritage. Construction and Building Materials 472 , 140881. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140881

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB)

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly exposing our built heritage to a wider range of extreme hazards. In response to these challenges, it is crucial for historic masonry repair technologies to adapt and promote a resilient preservation strategy that can withstand long-term impacts. Inspired by biomimetic technologies, this research introduces the use of 4D-printed mortar-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) for repairing cracks in lime-based mortars. m-MVNs consist of interconnected channels- made from polylactide acid (PLA) – designed to fit completely within the mortar joint. The study explored the properties of tailored nanolime dispersions as healing agents. Two different blends were studied with varying alcohol/water ratios, specifically 10 g/L of calcium hydroxide in either a 50:50 or 80:20 water:ethanol mixture. Specimens were pre-cracked at different ages (28–196 days) and three levels of damage (70% of the compression strength in pre-peak regime; 90% of the compression strength in post and pre-peak regime) and then healed for 14 days. Some self-healing ability was observed in the plain lime samples, with enhanced performance in samples containing empty m-MVNs. m-MVNs filled with nanolime demonstrated strong healing performance, with the 50:50 dispersion being the most promising, achieving a ceiling healing index of 37% in strength and 53% in stiffness.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0950-0618
Funders:	Leverhulme Trust
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 March 2025
Date of Acceptance:	13 March 2024
Last Modified:	28 Mar 2025 11:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/177013

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item