Mimicking Nature: Mini Vascular Networks for Self-healing Lime-based Mortars
Session
Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment
Description
As climate change exposes heritage buildings to increasingly severe and unprecedented risks, it is crucial to improve the methods used for repairing historic masonry. This adaptation is essential to support a resilient, long-term preservation strategy. Drawing inspiration from research on mini-vascular networks that enable self-healing in concrete structures, this study suggests employing biomimetic mini-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) to repair cracks in lime-based mortars. m-MVNs consist of interconnected channels created through 3D printing, designed to securely store and protect healing agents. These agents are released only when the damage exceeds a predefined threshold. In situations where the restoration of historic masonry walls is required, the m-MVN design ensures seamless integration within the mortar joints. Preliminary findings indicate that m-MVNs created from transparent PLA show promising results, effectively storing healing agents without any issues of leakage or premature curing.
Keywords:
biomimicry in construction, self-healing, built heritage, lime-based mortars.
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-95-6
Location
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
28-10-2023 8:00 AM
End Date
29-10-2023 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2023.355
Recommended Citation
Nardi, Cristina De; Gardner, Diane; and Jefferson, Antony, "Mimicking Nature: Mini Vascular Networks for Self-healing Lime-based Mortars" (2023). UBT International Conference. 19.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/IC/civil/19
Mimicking Nature: Mini Vascular Networks for Self-healing Lime-based Mortars
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
As climate change exposes heritage buildings to increasingly severe and unprecedented risks, it is crucial to improve the methods used for repairing historic masonry. This adaptation is essential to support a resilient, long-term preservation strategy. Drawing inspiration from research on mini-vascular networks that enable self-healing in concrete structures, this study suggests employing biomimetic mini-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) to repair cracks in lime-based mortars. m-MVNs consist of interconnected channels created through 3D printing, designed to securely store and protect healing agents. These agents are released only when the damage exceeds a predefined threshold. In situations where the restoration of historic masonry walls is required, the m-MVN design ensures seamless integration within the mortar joints. Preliminary findings indicate that m-MVNs created from transparent PLA show promising results, effectively storing healing agents without any issues of leakage or premature curing.