A new chapter for Building Pathology and Rehabilitation based on nanotechnology: trends and challenges

The boom in the nanoparticle’s studies at the begging of the 90s has expanded all engineering fields. Nanotechnology can achieve advances in the mechanical and durability properties and self-sensing capacity of the materials. Graphene applications were firstly investigated in this field of knowledge, followed by nano-silica (and other nanoparticles). Then, a small proportion of nanocarbon was added to composite matrixes and changed the composite properties in the fresh and hardened state. The optimal ratio of carbon nano-inclusion is currently in discussion. Carbon nanotubes and nano-silica, for instance, can modify the microstructure of the cement composite matrix and guarantee improvements in the resistance performance of the materials. From a sustainable point of view, nano inclusion can potentially reduce the employment of cement. The new role of the sustainable matrix as the alkali-activated materials can also be combined with nanoparticles and have its mechanical characteristics more suitable for field application. 

Also, during the 90s, the studies on materials degradation and building pathologies were intensively developed and reported in the literature. Corrosion, for instance, was studied as never was. The mysterious mechanisms of reactivity alkali-aggregate were better understood. At the same time, new materials emerged, and the technologies for the development of new composites with recycled components grown up. Nowadays, everything changed! The knowledge is advancing each day more accelerated than ever, and we need to understand the properties of the new generation of nano-modified materials. Understanding the degradation mechanisms is the key to rehabbing the existing buildings and enlarging their service life. 

In this context, Buildings Pathology and Rehabilitation play an exciting and relevant role: in understanding the durability, life cycle, and performance of the new generation of materials and building components. How does cement-based carbon nanotubes use for field applications? How can sensing materials decay? The rheological properties should be understood. The methods of design of the nanocomposites need to be standardized, and the experimental tests and their field application. It is not clear how sensing materials can be employed to monitor real buildings. We need to overcome those issues! Additionally, approaches focusing on monitoring structural and durability parameters using sensing materials should advance the field. 

Beyond that, derivate issues such as: How durable 3D printed composites can be? How can Building Information Modeling be useful to assess buildings' durability and safety state? How can NDT be adapted to characterize or assess nano-modified materials? Those are some pertinent questions that we need to be able to answer appropriately in feel years. Following this, the field also needs to integrate IA in the rehabilitation context and apply technological tools to assess new and old constructions. 

Esequiel Mesquita receives the Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering by University of Porto in 2017. Since 2018, he is Adjunct professor at the Federal University of Ceara, Campus Russas, and is the Head of Laboratory of Buildings Durability and Rehabilitation (LAREB). He is member of the RILEM Technical Committee on Carbon-based nanomaterials for multifunctional cementitious matrices, member expert of the ALCONPAT BR, ICOMOS, Regional Director of IBRACON and General Secretary of CINPAR. His research interest includes non-destructive testing, structural health monitoring, advanced materials, buildings durability, heritage constructions and optical sensing.

Together with Dr. João Delgado, he is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation.