From damage to healing monitoring of ultra-high performance concrete

The project aims to push the boundaries of monitoring ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)
elements, specifically focusing on service loading, degradation, and self-healing. Despite its
exceptional properties, UHPC faces challenges such as shrinkage cracking and degradation in
aggressive environments, and its self-healing potential remains unexplored. The proposal seeks to
explore the capabilities of air-coupled ultrasound for in-depth interpretation of UHPC behavior. By
monitoring damage processes at an early stage, material optimization can be achieved, and prompt
maintenance actions can be taken to prevent compromised performance, ensuring safety and
reducing future maintenance costs. Additionally, evaluating the mechanical and durability restoration
after repair or healing is crucial for continuous safe operation and extending the useful life of
structures, contributing to sustainability. The use of advanced dispersive features of elastic waves
allows for sensitivity to different length scales and physical properties, enabling the early detection
and characterization of damage types induced by loading or durability loss. This approach also
facilitates comprehensive mapping of the interior of UHPC elements using frequencies that provide
the most accurate characterization, in a non-contact manner that has not previously been achieved
in cementitious media, particularly in UHPC.

FWO Senior onderzoeksproject