De Nardi, Cristina, Gardner, Diane  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2864-9122, Sweeney, John and Akkady, Abba
2025.
Optimisation of 4D printed mortar-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) for built heritage preservation.
Materials & Design
254
, 114118.
10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114118
|
Preview |
PDF
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (10MB) | Preview |
Abstract
As climate change increases risks to heritage buildings, enhancing repair methods for historic masonry is essential. This paper presents the design and optimisation process for the manufacturing of a novel self-healing technology—named mortar mini-vascular networks (m-MVNs)—intended for installation in mortar joints during joint repair. m-MVNs are Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)-printed polymer units with interconnected channels designed to store and protect healing agents. When damage in the mortar joint exceeds a threshold, the m-MVNs rupture, releasing the healing agent to initiate the self-repair process. Engineered within a 4D printing framework, the m-MVNs were optimised through iterative design refinement to protect healing agents, with fracture properties ensuring activation under specific stress conditions. The final m-MVN design, manufactured using adaptive slicing from clear polylactide acid (PLA), achieved the best performance in terms of : i) geometrical regularity, ii) mechanical compatibility with hydraulic lime-based mortars, iii) quasi-isotropy, iv) and watertightness. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative self-healing solutions in heritage conservation
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Engineering |
| Subjects: | T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0264-1275 |
| Funders: | Leverhulme Trust - ECF 2022-235 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 12 June 2025 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 18 May 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jun 2025 13:00 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/178348 |
Actions (repository staff only)
 |
Edit Item |
Dimensions
Dimensions