From crack closure to durability improvement of cementitious mortar with knotted shape memory polymer (k-SMP) fibres

Van Mullem, Tim, De Belie, Nele and Maddalena, Riccardo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6251-3782 2025. From crack closure to durability improvement of cementitious mortar with knotted shape memory polymer (k-SMP) fibres. Developments in the Built Environment 24 , 100812. 10.1016/j.dibe.2025.100812

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (8MB)

Abstract

Extending the service life of concrete structures is increasingly important in the effort to reduce carbon emissions. Cracks compromise durability by accelerating degradation mechanism. Embedding shape memory polymer (SMP) fibres in cementitious materials offers a promising solution, as these fibres shrink upon thermal activation and induce crack closure. However, the influence of SMP fibre addition on the durability performance of cementitious materials has not yet been fully explored. In this study, knotted SMP fibres were embedded in mortar specimens, and durability was assessed through water flow testing, chloride diffusion, and carbonation measurements. Following thermal activation, SMP specimens achieved a perfect sealing efficiency, whereas water leakage persisted in reference samples, even after 14 days of wet/dry cycling. The reduced crack widths in the SMP specimens also limited the ingress of chloride ions and CO2 at the crack location. Overall, the performance of the SMP series demonstrated a superior durability performance.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2666-1659
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 December 2025
Date of Acceptance:	19 November 2025
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2025 15:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182782

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item