Matches in UGent Biblio for { ?s ?p In concrete, cracking is a common phenomenon due to the relatively low tensile strength. Since cracks provide an easy path for the transportation of liquids and gasses, that potentially contain harmful substances, they may lead to concrete deterioration and reinforcement corrosion. Cracks may thus shorten the life span of concrete structures and therefore need to be repaired. However large costs are involved in inspection, monitoring, maintenance and repair of concrete structures. Besides, indirect costs due to traffic jams and loss of productivity are even 10 times higher than the direct costs of maintenance and repair. Therefore the best way to heal cracks is by triggering a healing mechanism upon appearance of the crack, so inspection and monitoring are needed no longer or at a reduced frequency. Moreover, when cracks are healed autonomously, traffic jams and loss of productivity will no longer occur. In this study, the feasibility of autonomous crack healing is investigated. Hollow borosilicate glass tubes with two compartments were used as containers for a 2-component adhesive. Each compartment was filled with one component of the glue. Polyurethane and epoxy resin were used as 2-component healing agents. After filling of the glass tubes, they were embedded in the matrix. When a crack is formed in the concrete matrix, the tubes will break and the glue is released into the crack. When both components of the glue make contact, they start polymerizing and the crack may be healed.. }
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- aggregation abstract "In concrete, cracking is a common phenomenon due to the relatively low tensile strength. Since cracks provide an easy path for the transportation of liquids and gasses, that potentially contain harmful substances, they may lead to concrete deterioration and reinforcement corrosion. Cracks may thus shorten the life span of concrete structures and therefore need to be repaired. However large costs are involved in inspection, monitoring, maintenance and repair of concrete structures. Besides, indirect costs due to traffic jams and loss of productivity are even 10 times higher than the direct costs of maintenance and repair. Therefore the best way to heal cracks is by triggering a healing mechanism upon appearance of the crack, so inspection and monitoring are needed no longer or at a reduced frequency. Moreover, when cracks are healed autonomously, traffic jams and loss of productivity will no longer occur. In this study, the feasibility of autonomous crack healing is investigated. Hollow borosilicate glass tubes with two compartments were used as containers for a 2-component adhesive. Each compartment was filled with one component of the glue. Polyurethane and epoxy resin were used as 2-component healing agents. After filling of the glass tubes, they were embedded in the matrix. When a crack is formed in the concrete matrix, the tubes will break and the glue is released into the crack. When both components of the glue make contact, they start polymerizing and the crack may be healed.".