Lessons learned from the EC MSCA ITN Project SMARTINCS: Smart, Multi-functional, Advanced Repair Technologies In Cementitious Systems

Abstract

Extended abstract. To avoid the negative effects of concrete cracking on the durability of our buildings and infrastructure, different approaches to provide concrete with self-healing properties have been designed over the last decades. Self-healing concrete should allow to guarantee the performance of a structure over its service life, preventing costly intensive repair and maintenance operations. By combined experimental research and coupled multiscale models, SMARTINCS moves beyond the state-of-the-art with respect to (1) the efficiency of self-healing concrete, at acceptable cost for real-scale applications; (2) the multi-functionality (corrosion inhibition, self-sensing) of the self-healing solutions; and (3) the technologies for local application of healing agents in high risk zones or in high value grouts and repair products. The developments of SMARTINCS will help society to build and renovate in a resource efficient way and will accelerate the shift to sustainable and smart mobility, thereby contributing to the European Green Deal. The scientific work is clustered in three Work Packages (WP): (1) Improved self-healing concrete, (2) Advanced local (self-) repair, and (3) Durability, service life and sustainability. These are supported by a fourth Work Package (4) Technology transfer and Entrepreneurship, which has as a main goal to ensure market oriented research. In this last work package, commercialization routes and the key success factors to meet exploitation are