Self-Sealing Concrete to Enhance Durability and Longevity of Coastal Concrete Infrastructure under Corrosive Environment

This research study suggests an innovative way to use a functional infrastructure material known as “self-sealing concrete” to mitigate rebar corrosion in coastal concrete infrastructure. The developed material can be used on a variety of coastal infrastructure components, including seawalls, piers, concrete bridge decks, and structural and non-structural elements that require active protection against steel corrosion. Superabsorbent polymers, or SAPs, serve as a key component in performing this vital function. When present in concrete, SAPs’ exceptional capacity to absorb and hold huge volumes of water will significantly increase the water tightness of concrete by absorbing water, forming an expansive hydrogel, and sealing capillaries and cracks in the matrix. Because SAPs are economical, non-toxic, and easy to handle, it is anticipated that SAPs will offer a practical solution to the corrosion problem in coastal concrete infrastructure. Instead of using virgin SAPs, the proposed study will seek to use recycled SAPs to optimize the sustainability benefits. This research has the potential to revolutionize the design, construction, and maintenance practices of coastal infrastructure by developing self-sealing concrete technologies that are specifically tailored to the demands of corrosive coastal environments. Ultimately, the outcomes of this study are expected to improve the resilience of coastal communities to natural disasters and climate change.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $99991
• Contract Numbers:

  CREATE UTC Contract Number 69A3552348330

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Coastal Research and Education Actions for Transportation Equity

  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX  United States  77666

  Texas State University, San Marcos

  JCK Building, Suite 489
  San Marcos, TX  United States 
• Managing Organizations:

  Coastal Research and Education Actions for Transportation Equity

  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX  United States  77666
• Project Managers:

  Bruner, Britain

  Kulesza, Stacey

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas State University, San Marcos

  JCK Building, Suite 489
  San Marcos, TX  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Yeon, Jung

• Start Date: 20240901
• Expected Completion Date: 20260228
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Coastal engineering; Concrete; Corrosion; Durability; Infrastructure; Polymers
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01929220
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Coastal Research and Education Actions for Transportation Equity
• Contract Numbers: CREATE UTC Contract Number 69A3552348330
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 29 2024 1:50PM