Acoustic emission analysis of self-healing properties in cementitious materials with superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) during different environments

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 98; p. 111199
• Main Authors: Lyu, Jingjing, Feng, Shuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Acoustic emission technology; Mechanical property recovery; Self-healing mechanism; Superabsorbent polymer; Superabsorbent polymer; Mechanical property recovery; Self-healing mechanism; Acoustic emission technology
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111199

This paper studies the coupling effect of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) and fly ash on the self-healing performance of mortar. The three-point bending test was used to evaluate the mechanical property recovery effect of mortar specimens after curing in different environments, and the relationship between crack closure rate, flexural strength and flexural stiffness recovery was established. The amplitude and energy in acoustic emission were used to evaluate the characteristics of self-healing products. The results show that compared with the control specimens, the addition of SAP improves the crack closure rate and mechanical property recovery effect of mortar specimens. With the increase of SAP particle size and content, the mechanical property recovery rate and crack closure rate increase accordingly. The order of self-healing effect of specimens in different healing environments is saturated calcium hydroxide > water >97 % RH > air. After reloading, the amplitude number and cumulative energy of samples with SAP are larger than those of the control specimens. The SEM results also prove this, and the self-healing products in the crack area of the mortar specimens with SAP are denser than those in the control specimens. •The addition of SAP can improve the recovery of flexural strength and flexural stiffness of mortar.•Increasing SAP content and particle size enhances the recovery rate of mechanical properties and crack closure in mortar.•AE signals can differentiate self-healing products from matrix damage and quantify their number and energy.