2020 Volume 72 Issue 5 Pages 377-381
A primary study on the effect of poly（N-isopropylacrylamide） （PNIPAM）, a thermoresponsive polymer, on a water retention concrete pavement was conducted. The concrete material mixed with PNIPAM was expected to effectively store rainwater and decrease the ambient temperature through water vaporization. This mechanism is called the “sprinkling effect.” Water imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and sunlight tests were performed. Thus, the water retention and sprinkling effects of the cement paste mixed with PNIPAM were verified. The compressive strength and freeze–thaw resistance decreased with the addition of PNIPAM, but these properties could be controlled by adjusting the size and quantity of PNIPAM to maintain the sprinkling effect.
