Yes / This work presents the design of a smart activation system for the crack-closure technology of the Hybrid Tendons. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology in providing a self-repairing mechanism for concrete elements. The Hybrid Tendons are made combining a pre-stressed Kevlar inner core restrained by a Shape Memory Polymer sleeve. To trigger the crack-closing action, the Shape memory potential of the outer sleeve needs to be activated via heating. The work focuses on the design and testing of an electric activation system for the Hybrid Tendons using a system of heating wires. Kanthal wires are chosen for this application and integrated in the manufacturing process of the Hybrid Tendons: the wires are wrapped around each tendon and connected to a power supply. An experimental campaign is conducted to assess the system's capability to activate the Hybrid Tendons and deliver the crack-closing action in concrete beams under constant load. Additionally a numerical model is also developed to offer a sound interpretation of the experimental results. The system is ultimately proven successful in activating the Hybrid Tendons embedded in the concrete, effectively delivering the crack-closing action and boosting the flexural response of the structural element. / UKRI-EPSRC (Grant No. EP/P02081X/1 , Resilient Materials 4 Life, RM4L), Leverhulme Trust ECF-2022-235.

This thesis presents a novel distributed control method which allows a collection of independently mobile robotic units, with two or three dimensional movement, to self-assemble into self-repairing hierarchical structures. The proposed method utilises a simple model of the cellular adhesion mechanisms observed in biological cells, allowing the robotic units to form virtually bonded aggregates which behave as predicted by Steinberg’s differential adhesion hypothesis. Simulated robotic units based on the design of the subaquatic HYDRON module are introduced as a possible platform on which the model can be implemented. The units are used to carry out a detailed investigation of the model behaviour and parameter space focusing on the two main tasks of rounding and sorting in both two and three dimensions. These tasks assess the model’s ability to reach a thermodynamically stable configuration when the aggregates consist of either a single population of units or multiple populations of units with differing adhesive properties. The results are analysed in detail with particular attention given to the role of random movements in determining the overall performance, and demonstrate that this model provides a very robust solution to these complex tasks. Finally, a possible extension of this work is presented in which the original model is combined with a genetic regulatory network controller. The performance of this composite is evaluated, and the benefits of this hybrid approach, in which a powerful control system manipulates a robust self-organising behaviour, are discussed.

Une interphase fibre de carbone/matrice époxy thermiquement auto-réparable a été construite sur la base de liaisons covalentes Diels-Alder (D-A) thermiquement réversibles. L’interphase modifiée par D-A a été formée en greffant des groupes maléimide sur la surface de la fibre de carbone et en introduisant des groupes furane dans le réseau polyépoxy. La capacité d’auto-réparation interfaciale a été caractérisée par le test de déchaussement de la micro-goutte. La surface de la fibre de carbone a subi un traitement en trois étapes : (i) oxydation par l’acide nitrique, (ii) amination par la tétraéthylènepentamine (TEPA) et (iii) greffage de bismaléimide (BMI). Après chaque étape de traitement, les modifications physico-chimiques de surfaces de la fibre ont été caractérisées par microscopies (MEB et AFM) et par spectroscopies (XPS, et ATR-FTIR). La modification de la matrice a été effectuée en copolymérisant le furfuryl glycidyl éther (FGE) au réseau époxy/amine et les propriétés de la matrice ont été évaluées par TGA, DSC, ATR-FTIR, et traction uniaxiale. Le caractère réversible des liaisons Diels-Alder a été également vérifié par DSC, TGA et RMN. Pour caractériser les capacités d'auto-réparation de l’interphase modifiée par D-A, les propriétés mécaniques et les capacités d'auto-réparation de l'interphase construite en combinant la matrice DGEBA-FGE/amine avec une série de fibres de carbone greffés par BMI ont été mesurées en fonction du temps d’oxydation préalable au greffage (gouvernant la réactivité de la fibre de carbone). Enfin, car le FGE joue un double rôle dans le système interfacial modifié par D-A, à la fois dans l’architecture en intervenant comme allongeur de chaîne entre nœuds de réticulation du réseau époxyde et au niveau de l’interphase en contribuant dans la formation des liaisons réversibles, l'influence de la concentration de FGE dans la matrice a été étudiée sur les propriétés mécaniques de l'interphase et également sur les propriétés mécaniques de la matrice. Par conséquent, ce travail a permis d’aboutir à la procédure optimale pour construire une interphase fibre de carbone/époxy thermiquement auto-réparable basée sur des liaisons covalentes Diels-Alder (thermo réversibles). L'interphase ainsi formée possède non seulement des capacités d’auto-réparations multiples, mais également des propriétés mécaniques compatibles avec une approche ‘matériau composite’. En effet, les propriétés mécaniques globales des matériaux composites, comme attendu, sont dépendantes des caractéristiques de cette interphase mais ne seront pas réduites par la présence de celle-ci notamment pour assurer la durabilité du matériau composite. / A thermally self-healable carbon/epoxy interphase was designed based on Diels-Alder (D-A) thermally reversible covalent bonds. The D-A modified interphase was formed between maleimide groups grafted on carbon fiber surface and furan groups introduced into epoxy network. The self-healing ability was characterized by a micromechanical approach using the micro-droplet debonding test. In this work, carbon fiber surface underwent a three-step treatment to graft maleimide groups, including HNO3 oxidization, tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) amination, and bismaleimide (BMI) grafting. The fiber surface physico-chemical modifications after each treatment step were characterized by microscopies (SEM, and AFM) and spectroscopies (XPS, and ATR-FTIR). The matrix modification was carried on mixing furfuryl glycidyl ether (FGE) into epoxy/amine network and the properties of modified matrix were studied by TGA, DSC, ATR-FTIR, and tensile tests. The reversible character of Diels-Alder bond was also followed by DSC, TGA, and NMR. The interfacial mechanical properties and the self-healing abilities of the D-A modified interphases, built by combining DGEBA-FGE/amine matrix with a serial of BMI-grafted carbon fibers tuned as a function of the oxidization time were investigated. At last, since FGE plays a double-role in D-A modified interfacial system, i.e. chain extender in epoxy network and self-healing agent in the interphase, the influences of FGE content in matrix on the mechanical properties of interphase and also on the mechanical properties of cured matrix were evaluated. As a consequence, this study allowed to achieve the best process to build a thermally self-healable carbon/epoxy interphase based on thermally reversible Diels-Alder covalent bonds. The formed interphase has not only the successive self-healable abilities but also the required mechanical properties. Additionally, the overall mechanical properties of the composite material based on this interphase will not be weakened significantly after the interfacial modifications.