Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have been widely explored in concrete technology for their promising application as internal curing agents. SAPs reduce shrinkage deformation and the risk of early-age cracking. In this paper, the efficiency of SAPs is assessed with mechanical strain gauges and long-gauge optical fiber sensors embedded inside the matrix. Two commercial and two in-house developed SAPs are used. The commercial SAPs and one of the in-house developed SAPs completely mitigated the autogenous shrinkage of concrete and all four reduced in 30% the total shrinkage. The optical fiber sensors performed better than the mechanical strain gauges and identified crack formation.
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