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Pro084-1

THE INFLUENCE OF SUPERABSORBENT POLYMERS ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND PERMEABILITY OF CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS



Author(s): Didier Snoeck and Nele De Belie
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of CONSEC13 Seventh International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions - Environment and Loading Volume I
Editor(s): Z.J. Li, W. Sun, C.W. Miao, K.Sakai, O.E. Gjørv, N.Banthia
ISBN: 978-2-35158-124-7
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-134-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2013
Pages: 366-376
Total Pages: 961
Language : English


Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are used in cementitious materials for various purposes. They are able to swell up to 500 times their own weight, can hold an aqueous solution and by doing so, cause internal curing. This makes them interesting for reducing the autogenous shrinkage. But, due to the uptake of mixing water, they cause a densification and thus a change in microstructure and water transport properties. Therefore, additional water can be added.
In this paper, the effect of SAPs and additional water on the microstructure is studied by means of scanning electron microscopy on polished sections and by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry. Low-pressure permeability tests were performed to study the effect of the densification on the permeability. SAPs hold the mixing water and do cause a densification of the matrix and reduce the water permeability. Additional water counteracts this effect and provides approximately the same capillary microstructure and transport properties compared to reference samples.


Online publication : 2013
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00


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