Durability and mechanical performance of pure/chelated superabsorbent polymer (SAP/SAPC) added mortar in cold region

As we all know, the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) has a great potential to absorb water, and then expands hundreds of times. The SAP added cement-based material used in a water-exposed structure could effectively seal the micro-crack by itself. The repairing inaccessibility and expense for the concrete crack strengthen the demand for self-healing cement-based materials. However, the application of SAP added cement-based material in extreme condition, especially in cold regions, is not thoroughly investigated. The construction and maintenance of large linear engineering in Chinese cold regions, like Qinghai-Tibet Railway/Highway and Harbin-Dalian High-speed Railway, urges the improvement of self-healing cement-based material in cold regions. In this study, two kinds of SAPs were added to mortar paste. The axial shrinkage, weight time-series and mechanical performance of hardened mortar prisms under Thaw-Soak-Freeze/Freeze-Thaw cycle were measured. Then, the durability and degradation mechanism of these SAP added mortar under frost damage are analyzed and discussed.