Bridges, tunnels and other civil engineering structures could become safer thanks to self-repairing being developed as part of a “European research project“http://www.healcon.ugent.be/. <br /><br /> Engineers at Ghent University in Belgium have taken a lead role in the pioneering work. One of the team, Elke Gruyaert, explained the process: <br /><br /> “The concrete is filled with super-absorbent polymers. So when a crack appears, water comes in, and the super-absorbent polymers swell and they block the crack from further intake of water.” <br /><br /> The polymers are added to the concrete mix. Once it is dry, the researchers crack it to see how it reacts. Then they quantify its mechanical behaviour, impermeability and durability. <br /><br /> Brenda Debbaut, an industrial engineer at Ghent University, says the results are very quickly evident: <br /><br /> “If a small crack starts healing immediately, then there is no risk that it grows bigger. So the total structure won’t run the risk of falling down. We want to stop the problem b
