![Diane Gardner MEng, PhD, CEng, MICE, FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/3862?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Diane Gardner
MEng, PhD, CEng, MICE, FHEA
Teams and roles for Diane Gardner
Reader - Teaching and Research
Overview
I am a Reader in Civil Engineering and Leader of the Resilient Structures and Construction Materials (RESCOM) research group in the Department of Civil Engineering, Cardiff University. I am a Chartered Engineer and have more than 16 years experience in the development and experimental investigation of sustainable, cementitious, biomimetic construction materials that have the benefit of greater longevity with reduced impact on the environment. I am also a director on the EPSRC funded Resilient Materials for Life (RM4L) Programme grant and an Associate Editor of Structures .
My research is mainly focused on sustainable cementitious materials motivated by minimising the environmental and economic burden associated with the continual need for repair and maintenance of our nation’s civil engineering infrastructure. Three key strands of my research are as follows:
- Experimental investigations of the durability cementitious materials, containing alternative or cement free binders.
- The use of vascular and mini vascular networks in concrete structures to afford them a self-healing response when exposed to damage.
- The flow properties and characteristics of a range self-healing agents and their interaction with the host matrix.
I graduated with a first class MEng Civil Engineering with a Year in Spain from the University of Wales, Cardiff, in 2002, having spent one year at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona. I remained at Cardiff University for a PhD in the field of the durability of cementitious materials, graduating in 2005. My PhD research, sponsored by Carillion PLC considered, through an extensive laboratory investigation, the influence of strength and moisture content on concrete permeability with a view to reducing the time taken to perform a permeability test. I developed an analytical and a finite difference numerical model to simulate the experimental arrangement in order to readily obtain intrinsic permeability coefficients, which allowed the testing of smaller specimens and hence shortened the permeability testing time.
Following my PhD, I worked for Hyder Consulting for 3 years as a bridge engineer, although I was also involved in a number of tower foundation and tunnel designs as well as the refurbishment design of several underground stations. My experience of bridge rehabilitation schemes renewed my interest in the durability of concrete structures and I returned to Cardiff University in 2009 as a Lecturer.
Publication
2026
- De Nardi, C. and Gardner, D. 2026. Lithium silicate as a healing agent in vascular networks for natural hydraulic lime mortars: a step towards cyclic self-healing systems for heritage materials. Construction and Building Materials 512 145154. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145154)
- Freeman, B. L. et al. 2026. A probabilistic cut finite element method with random field generator and Bayesian model calibration for flow through rough cracks. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 50 (1), pp.298-320. (10.1002/nag.70104)
- Pugh, J. , Gardner, D. and Maddalena, R. 2026. A state-of-the-art review of Waste Foundry Sand concrete from an optimisation perspective. Case Studies in Construction Materials 24 e05688. (10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05688)
2025
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2025. Optimisation of 4D printed mortar-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) for built heritage preservation. Materials & Design 254 114118. (10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114118)
2024
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2024. 3D-printed mini-vascular networks for self-healing lime-based mortars. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.44-47. (10.18573/conf1.k)
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2024. Biomimicry in built heritage: Mini vascular networks for self-healing lime-based mortars. Presented at: SUBLime Conference 2024 Madeira, Portugal 11-12 November 2024. Published in: Lourenco, P. , Azenha, M. and Pereira, J. eds. Towards the next generation of sustainable masonry systems: Mortars, renders, plasters and other challenges - Proceedings. Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães: Universidade do Minho.
2023
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2023. Mechanical response and predictive modelling of vascular self-healing cementitious materials using novel healing agents. Cement and Concrete Composites 142 105143. (10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105143)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2023. Advanced 3D printed mini-vascular network for self- healing concrete. Materials & Design 230 111939. (10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111939)
- Freeman, B. et al. 2023. Tailoring healing agents for self-healing cementitious materials using predictive modelling and physical testing. Presented at: Self-Healing Materials ICSHM 2022 Milan, Italy 20-22 June 2022.
- Gardner, D. et al. 2023. 3D-printed mini-vascular networks for crack-sealing in the concrete cover zone. Presented at: Self-Healing Materials ICSHM 2022 Milan, Italy 20-22 June 2022.
- Nishiwaki, T. et al., 2023. Terahertz (Thz) wave imaging in civil engineering to assess self-healing of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC). Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology (10.3151/jact.21.58)
2022
- Justo Reinoso, I. et al., 2022. Use of 3D mini-vascular networks to protect and deliver bacterial spores in self-healing concretes. Presented at: 8th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Milan, Spain 20-22 June 2022.
- Salman, S. , De Nardi, C. and Gardner, D. 2022. A study of damage healing cycles in vascular networks containing silicate-based healing agents. Presented at: 8th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Milan, Spain 20-22 June 2022.
2021
- Davies, R. , Jefferson, A. and Gardner, D. 2021. Development and testing of vascular networks for self-healing cementitious materials. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 33 (7)(10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003802)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2021. Experimental investigation of a novel formulation of a cyanoacrylate based adhesive for self-healing concrete technologies. Frontiers in Built Environment 7 660562. (10.3389/fbuil.2021.660562)
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2021. Advanced 3D printed mini-vascular network for self-healing concrete. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff University. , pp.292-296.
- Jefferson, A. et al. 2021. Resilient Materials 4 Life (RM4L) – An overview of research on biomimetic infrastructure materials. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff University. , pp.2-3.
- Maddalena, R. , Taha, H. and Gardner, D. 2021. Self-healing potential of supplementary cementitious materials in cement mortars: sorptivity and pore structure. Developments in the Built Environment 6 100044. (10.1016/j.dibe.2021.100044)
- Sweeney, J. et al., 2021. Concrete crack closure and reinforcement using high performance shape memory polymers (SMP). Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff: Cardiff University. , pp.306-310.
- Sweeney, J. et al., 2021. Injection moulding of ‘Spheritet’ component for concrete reinforcement. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff: Cardiff University. , pp.302-305.
2020
- Botusharova, S. , Gardner, D. and Harbottle, M. 2020. Augmenting microbially induced carbonate precipitation of soil with the capability to self-heal. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 146 (4) 04020010. (10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002214)
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. D. 2020. Development of 3D printed networks in self-healing concrete. Materials 13 (6) 1328. (10.3390/ma13061328)
- Selvarajoo, T. et al. 2020. Characterisation of a vascular self-healing cementitious material system: Flow and curing properties. Construction and Building Materials 245 118332. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118332)
2019
- Al-Tabbaa, A. et al., 2019. Biomimetic cementitious construction materials for next-generation infrastructure. In: Dhi, R. K. and Paine, K. eds. Smart Concrete. ICE Themes London: ICE Publishing. , pp.85-101. (10.1680/icetsc.64577.085)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2019. The development of mini-vascular networks for self-healing concrete. Presented at: Conference on Durable Concrete for Infrastructure under Severe Conditions Ghent 10 - 11 September 2019. Proceedings of LORCENIS Conference: Durable Concrete for Infrastructure under Severe Conditions : Smart Admixtures, self-responsiveness and nano-additions. Ghent: Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research. , pp.19-23.
- Joseph, C. et al., 2019. Self-healing cementitious materials: a review of recent work. In: Dhir, R. K. and Paine, K. eds. Smart Concrete. OCE Themes London: ICE Publishing. , pp.29-48. (10.1680/icetsc.64577.029)
- Maddalena, R. and Gardner, D. 2019. The healing touch. Construction and Civil Engineering Magazine (167)
- Maddalena, R. , Taha, H. and Gardner, D. 2019. Enhanced self-healing using conventional supplementary cementitious materials. Presented at: 39th Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2019 Bath, England 9-10 September 2019. 39th Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2019. University of Bath. , pp.43-46.
2018
- Davies, R. et al. 2018. Large scale application of self-healing concrete: design, construction and testing. Frontiers in Materials 5 51. (10.3389/fmats.2018.00051)
- Gardner, D. et al. 2018. A survey on problems encountered in current concrete construction and the potential benefits of self-healing cementitious materials.. Case Studies in Construction Materials 8 , pp.238-247. (10.1016/j.cscm.2018.02.002)
- Herbert, D. M. et al., 2018. Performance of single skin masonry walls subjected to hydraulic loading. Materials and Structures 51 97. (10.1617/s11527-018-1222-z)
- Teall, O. et al. 2018. A shape memory polymer concrete crack closure system activated by electrical current. Smart Materials and Structures 27 (7) 075016. (10.1088/1361-665X/aac28a)
2017
- Gardner, D. et al. 2017. Capillary flow characteristics of an autogenic and autonomic healing agent for self-healing concrete. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 29 (11), pp.171-184. (10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002092)
- Teall, O. et al. 2017. Development of high shrinkage polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shape memory polymer tendons for concrete crack closure. Smart Materials and Structures 26 (4) 045006. (10.1088/1361-665X/aa5d66)
2016
- Davies, R. et al. 2016. Multi-scale cementitious self-healing systems and their application in concrete structures. Presented at: The 9th International Concrete Conference 2016 - Environment, Efficiency and Economic Challenges for Concrete Dundee, UK 4 - 6 July 2016.
- Pilegis, M. et al. 2016. Challenges of self-healing concrete scale-up and site trials. Presented at: 9th International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures Berkeley, CA, USA 29 May -1 June 2016.
- Pilegis, M. , Gardner, D. and Lark, R. 2016. An investigation into the use of manufactured sand as a 100% replacement for fine aggregate in concrete. Materials 9 (6) 440. (10.3390/ma9060440)
- Teall, O. et al. 2016. Self-healing concrete full-scale site trials. Presented at: 11th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, FIB 2016 The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan 29-31 August 2016. Published in: Maekawa, K. , Kasuga, A. and Yamazaki, J. eds. Proceedings of the 11th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, FIB 2016. A.A. Balkema Publishers. , pp.639-646.
2015
- Davies, R. E. et al. 2015. A novel 2D vascular network in cementitious materials. Presented at: fib Symposium 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark 18-20 May 2015.
- Hazelwood, T. et al. 2015. Numerical simulation of the long-term behaviour of a self-healing concrete beam vs standard reinforced concrete. Engineering Structures 102 , pp.176-188. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.07.056)
- Pilegis, M. et al. 2015. Delayed concrete prestressing with shape memory polymer tendons. Presented at: fib Symposium 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark 18-20 May 2015.
2014
- Gardner, D. et al. 2014. Simulation of the capillary flow of an autonomic healing agent in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Cement and Concrete Research 58 , pp.35-44. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2014.01.005)
- Harbottle, M. J. et al. 2014. Self-healing soil: Biomimetic engineering of geotechnical structures to respond to damage. Presented at: 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics Melbourne, Australia 9-14 November 2014. Published in: Bouazza, A. , Yuen, S. and Brown, B. eds. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics. Engineers Australia. , pp.1121-1128.
- Hazelwood, T. et al. 2014. Long-term stress relaxation behavior of predrawn poly(ethylene terephthalate). Journal of Applied Polymer Science 131 (23) 41208. (10.1002/app.41208)
2013
- Gardner, D. R. et al. 2013. Autonomic self-healing concrete: the capillary flow of cyanoacrylate in discrete cracks. Presented at: 33rd Cement and Concrete Science Conference Portsmouth, UK 2-3 September 2013.
- Gardner, D. R. et al. 2013. Characterisation of healing agents for self-healing cementitious systems. Presented at: 4th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials (ICSHM2013) Ghent, Belgium 16 - 20 June 2013.
- Harbottle, M. J. , Zhang, J. and Gardner, D. R. 2013. Combined physical and biological gel-based healing of cementitious materials. Presented at: Fourth International Conference on Self-Healing Materials (ICSHM2013) Ghent, Belgium 16-18 June 2013. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Self-Healing Materials. Ghent: Universiteit Gent. , pp.207-210.
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2013. Uniform lateral load capacity of small-scale masonry wall panels. Materials and Structures n/a (10.1617/s11527-013-0092-7)
2012
- Elbusaefi, A. , Lark, R. J. and Gardner, D. R. 2012. Corrosion of reinforcement steel embedded in concretes manufactured with various cement replacement materials and their gas permeability. Presented at: 9th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering Dresden, Germany 22-25 July 2012.
- Elbusaefi, A. , Lark, R. J. and Gardner, D. R. 2012. The effect of rebar corrosion on the bond strength of reinforced concrete structures manufactured using cement replacement materials. Presented at: Bond in Concrete 2012: 4th International Symposium Brescia, Italy 17-20 June 2012..
- Gardner, D. and Stroud, D. 2012. Feedback: What do students want? A comparative study of students' expectations of assessment feedback. Presented at: The Seventh AECEF International Symposium London, UK 13-14 September 2012.
- Gardner, D. R. , Jefferson, A. D. and Hoffman, A. 2012. Investigation of capillary flow in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Cement and Concrete Research 42 (7), pp.972-981. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2012.03.017)
- Gardner, D. R. and Stroud, D. 2012. Feedback: What do students want? A comparative study of students expectations of assessment feedback. Presented at: 7th AECEF International Symposium: Global Issues in Enhancing Civil Engineering Learning, Teaching, Research and Practice London, UK 13 -14 September 2012.
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2012. The strength of masonry walls when subject to flood loading. Presented at: 15th International Brick & Block Masonry Conference (15th IBMaC) Florianopolis, Brazil 3-6 June 2012.
- Pilegis, M. , Gardner, D. R. and Lark, B. 2012. Manufactured sand for a low carbon era. Presented at: 8th International Conference: Concrete in the Low Carbon Era Dundee, UK 9-11 July 2012.
2011
- Gardner, D. R. , Hoffman, A. and Jefferson, A. D. 2011. Capillary flow of healing agents in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2011. The development of a new method for testing the lateral load capacity of small-scale masonry walls using a centrifuge and digital image correlation. Construction and Building Materials 25 (12), pp.4465-4476. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.02.002)
- Isaacs, B. et al., 2011. Enhancement of self-healing in cementitious materials. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
- Lark, R. J. et al. 2011. Sustainable self-healing cementitious composites. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
2010
- Joseph, C. et al., 2010. Self healing cementitious materials: A review of recent work. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Construction Materials 164 (1), pp.29-41. (10.1680/coma.900051)
- Joseph, C. et al., 2010. Experimental investigation of adhesive-based self-healing of cementitious materials. Magazine of Concrete Research 62 (11), pp.831-843. (10.1680/macr.2010.62.11.831)
2008
- Gardner, D. R. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lark, R. J. 2008. An experimental, numerical and analytical investigation of gas flow characteristics in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 38 (3), pp.360-367. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.10.001)
2007
- Gardner, D. R. , Lark, R. J. and Barr, B. 2007. The effect of conditioning to a predetermined weight loss on the permeability of concrete. Construction and Building Materials 21 (1), pp.83-89. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.07.005)
2005
- Gardner, D. R. , Lark, R. J. and Barr, B. I. G. 2005. Effect of conditioning temperature on the strength and permeability of normal- and high-strength concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 35 (7), pp.1400-1406. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.08.012)
- Gettu, R. et al., 2005. Study of the distribution and orientation of fibers in SFRC specimens. Materials and Structures 38 (1), pp.31-37. (10.1007/BF02480572)
2000
- Barrag, B. E. et al., 2000. Estudo da distribução das fibras metálicas em corpos-de-prova cilíndricos de concreto? (Study of the distribution of metal fibres in concrete cylinders). Presented at: 42nd Brazilian Congress on Concrete (IBRACON) Fortaleza, Brazil August 2000.
Articles
- Botusharova, S. , Gardner, D. and Harbottle, M. 2020. Augmenting microbially induced carbonate precipitation of soil with the capability to self-heal. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 146 (4) 04020010. (10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002214)
- Davies, R. , Jefferson, A. and Gardner, D. 2021. Development and testing of vascular networks for self-healing cementitious materials. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 33 (7)(10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003802)
- Davies, R. et al. 2018. Large scale application of self-healing concrete: design, construction and testing. Frontiers in Materials 5 51. (10.3389/fmats.2018.00051)
- De Nardi, C. and Gardner, D. 2026. Lithium silicate as a healing agent in vascular networks for natural hydraulic lime mortars: a step towards cyclic self-healing systems for heritage materials. Construction and Building Materials 512 145154. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145154)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2023. Mechanical response and predictive modelling of vascular self-healing cementitious materials using novel healing agents. Cement and Concrete Composites 142 105143. (10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105143)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2021. Experimental investigation of a novel formulation of a cyanoacrylate based adhesive for self-healing concrete technologies. Frontiers in Built Environment 7 660562. (10.3389/fbuil.2021.660562)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2023. Advanced 3D printed mini-vascular network for self- healing concrete. Materials & Design 230 111939. (10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111939)
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. D. 2020. Development of 3D printed networks in self-healing concrete. Materials 13 (6) 1328. (10.3390/ma13061328)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2025. Optimisation of 4D printed mortar-mini vascular networks (m-MVNs) for built heritage preservation. Materials & Design 254 114118. (10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114118)
- Freeman, B. L. et al. 2026. A probabilistic cut finite element method with random field generator and Bayesian model calibration for flow through rough cracks. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 50 (1), pp.298-320. (10.1002/nag.70104)
- Gardner, D. et al. 2017. Capillary flow characteristics of an autogenic and autonomic healing agent for self-healing concrete. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 29 (11), pp.171-184. (10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002092)
- Gardner, D. et al. 2014. Simulation of the capillary flow of an autonomic healing agent in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Cement and Concrete Research 58 , pp.35-44. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2014.01.005)
- Gardner, D. et al. 2018. A survey on problems encountered in current concrete construction and the potential benefits of self-healing cementitious materials.. Case Studies in Construction Materials 8 , pp.238-247. (10.1016/j.cscm.2018.02.002)
- Gardner, D. R. , Jefferson, A. D. and Hoffman, A. 2012. Investigation of capillary flow in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Cement and Concrete Research 42 (7), pp.972-981. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2012.03.017)
- Gardner, D. R. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lark, R. J. 2008. An experimental, numerical and analytical investigation of gas flow characteristics in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 38 (3), pp.360-367. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.10.001)
- Gardner, D. R. , Lark, R. J. and Barr, B. 2007. The effect of conditioning to a predetermined weight loss on the permeability of concrete. Construction and Building Materials 21 (1), pp.83-89. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.07.005)
- Gardner, D. R. , Lark, R. J. and Barr, B. I. G. 2005. Effect of conditioning temperature on the strength and permeability of normal- and high-strength concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 35 (7), pp.1400-1406. (10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.08.012)
- Gettu, R. et al., 2005. Study of the distribution and orientation of fibers in SFRC specimens. Materials and Structures 38 (1), pp.31-37. (10.1007/BF02480572)
- Hazelwood, T. et al. 2014. Long-term stress relaxation behavior of predrawn poly(ethylene terephthalate). Journal of Applied Polymer Science 131 (23) 41208. (10.1002/app.41208)
- Hazelwood, T. et al. 2015. Numerical simulation of the long-term behaviour of a self-healing concrete beam vs standard reinforced concrete. Engineering Structures 102 , pp.176-188. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.07.056)
- Herbert, D. M. et al., 2018. Performance of single skin masonry walls subjected to hydraulic loading. Materials and Structures 51 97. (10.1617/s11527-018-1222-z)
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2011. The development of a new method for testing the lateral load capacity of small-scale masonry walls using a centrifuge and digital image correlation. Construction and Building Materials 25 (12), pp.4465-4476. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.02.002)
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2013. Uniform lateral load capacity of small-scale masonry wall panels. Materials and Structures n/a (10.1617/s11527-013-0092-7)
- Joseph, C. et al., 2010. Self healing cementitious materials: A review of recent work. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Construction Materials 164 (1), pp.29-41. (10.1680/coma.900051)
- Joseph, C. et al., 2010. Experimental investigation of adhesive-based self-healing of cementitious materials. Magazine of Concrete Research 62 (11), pp.831-843. (10.1680/macr.2010.62.11.831)
- Maddalena, R. and Gardner, D. 2019. The healing touch. Construction and Civil Engineering Magazine (167)
- Maddalena, R. , Taha, H. and Gardner, D. 2021. Self-healing potential of supplementary cementitious materials in cement mortars: sorptivity and pore structure. Developments in the Built Environment 6 100044. (10.1016/j.dibe.2021.100044)
- Nishiwaki, T. et al., 2023. Terahertz (Thz) wave imaging in civil engineering to assess self-healing of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC). Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology (10.3151/jact.21.58)
- Pilegis, M. , Gardner, D. and Lark, R. 2016. An investigation into the use of manufactured sand as a 100% replacement for fine aggregate in concrete. Materials 9 (6) 440. (10.3390/ma9060440)
- Pugh, J. , Gardner, D. and Maddalena, R. 2026. A state-of-the-art review of Waste Foundry Sand concrete from an optimisation perspective. Case Studies in Construction Materials 24 e05688. (10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05688)
- Selvarajoo, T. et al. 2020. Characterisation of a vascular self-healing cementitious material system: Flow and curing properties. Construction and Building Materials 245 118332. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118332)
- Teall, O. et al. 2018. A shape memory polymer concrete crack closure system activated by electrical current. Smart Materials and Structures 27 (7) 075016. (10.1088/1361-665X/aac28a)
- Teall, O. et al. 2017. Development of high shrinkage polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shape memory polymer tendons for concrete crack closure. Smart Materials and Structures 26 (4) 045006. (10.1088/1361-665X/aa5d66)
Book sections
- Al-Tabbaa, A. et al., 2019. Biomimetic cementitious construction materials for next-generation infrastructure. In: Dhi, R. K. and Paine, K. eds. Smart Concrete. ICE Themes London: ICE Publishing. , pp.85-101. (10.1680/icetsc.64577.085)
- Joseph, C. et al., 2019. Self-healing cementitious materials: a review of recent work. In: Dhir, R. K. and Paine, K. eds. Smart Concrete. OCE Themes London: ICE Publishing. , pp.29-48. (10.1680/icetsc.64577.029)
Conferences
- Barrag, B. E. et al., 2000. Estudo da distribução das fibras metálicas em corpos-de-prova cilíndricos de concreto? (Study of the distribution of metal fibres in concrete cylinders). Presented at: 42nd Brazilian Congress on Concrete (IBRACON) Fortaleza, Brazil August 2000.
- Davies, R. et al. 2016. Multi-scale cementitious self-healing systems and their application in concrete structures. Presented at: The 9th International Concrete Conference 2016 - Environment, Efficiency and Economic Challenges for Concrete Dundee, UK 4 - 6 July 2016.
- Davies, R. E. et al. 2015. A novel 2D vascular network in cementitious materials. Presented at: fib Symposium 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark 18-20 May 2015.
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2024. 3D-printed mini-vascular networks for self-healing lime-based mortars. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.44-47. (10.18573/conf1.k)
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2021. Advanced 3D printed mini-vascular network for self-healing concrete. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff University. , pp.292-296.
- De Nardi, C. , Gardner, D. and Jefferson, A. 2024. Biomimicry in built heritage: Mini vascular networks for self-healing lime-based mortars. Presented at: SUBLime Conference 2024 Madeira, Portugal 11-12 November 2024. Published in: Lourenco, P. , Azenha, M. and Pereira, J. eds. Towards the next generation of sustainable masonry systems: Mortars, renders, plasters and other challenges - Proceedings. Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães: Universidade do Minho.
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2019. The development of mini-vascular networks for self-healing concrete. Presented at: Conference on Durable Concrete for Infrastructure under Severe Conditions Ghent 10 - 11 September 2019. Proceedings of LORCENIS Conference: Durable Concrete for Infrastructure under Severe Conditions : Smart Admixtures, self-responsiveness and nano-additions. Ghent: Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research. , pp.19-23.
- Elbusaefi, A. , Lark, R. J. and Gardner, D. R. 2012. Corrosion of reinforcement steel embedded in concretes manufactured with various cement replacement materials and their gas permeability. Presented at: 9th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering Dresden, Germany 22-25 July 2012.
- Elbusaefi, A. , Lark, R. J. and Gardner, D. R. 2012. The effect of rebar corrosion on the bond strength of reinforced concrete structures manufactured using cement replacement materials. Presented at: Bond in Concrete 2012: 4th International Symposium Brescia, Italy 17-20 June 2012..
- Freeman, B. et al. 2023. Tailoring healing agents for self-healing cementitious materials using predictive modelling and physical testing. Presented at: Self-Healing Materials ICSHM 2022 Milan, Italy 20-22 June 2022.
- Gardner, D. et al. 2023. 3D-printed mini-vascular networks for crack-sealing in the concrete cover zone. Presented at: Self-Healing Materials ICSHM 2022 Milan, Italy 20-22 June 2022.
- Gardner, D. and Stroud, D. 2012. Feedback: What do students want? A comparative study of students' expectations of assessment feedback. Presented at: The Seventh AECEF International Symposium London, UK 13-14 September 2012.
- Gardner, D. R. et al. 2013. Autonomic self-healing concrete: the capillary flow of cyanoacrylate in discrete cracks. Presented at: 33rd Cement and Concrete Science Conference Portsmouth, UK 2-3 September 2013.
- Gardner, D. R. et al. 2013. Characterisation of healing agents for self-healing cementitious systems. Presented at: 4th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials (ICSHM2013) Ghent, Belgium 16 - 20 June 2013.
- Gardner, D. R. , Hoffman, A. and Jefferson, A. D. 2011. Capillary flow of healing agents in discrete cracks in cementitious materials. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
- Gardner, D. R. and Stroud, D. 2012. Feedback: What do students want? A comparative study of students expectations of assessment feedback. Presented at: 7th AECEF International Symposium: Global Issues in Enhancing Civil Engineering Learning, Teaching, Research and Practice London, UK 13 -14 September 2012.
- Harbottle, M. J. et al. 2014. Self-healing soil: Biomimetic engineering of geotechnical structures to respond to damage. Presented at: 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics Melbourne, Australia 9-14 November 2014. Published in: Bouazza, A. , Yuen, S. and Brown, B. eds. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics. Engineers Australia. , pp.1121-1128.
- Harbottle, M. J. , Zhang, J. and Gardner, D. R. 2013. Combined physical and biological gel-based healing of cementitious materials. Presented at: Fourth International Conference on Self-Healing Materials (ICSHM2013) Ghent, Belgium 16-18 June 2013. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Self-Healing Materials. Ghent: Universiteit Gent. , pp.207-210.
- Herbert, D. M. et al. 2012. The strength of masonry walls when subject to flood loading. Presented at: 15th International Brick & Block Masonry Conference (15th IBMaC) Florianopolis, Brazil 3-6 June 2012.
- Isaacs, B. et al., 2011. Enhancement of self-healing in cementitious materials. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
- Jefferson, A. et al. 2021. Resilient Materials 4 Life (RM4L) – An overview of research on biomimetic infrastructure materials. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff University. , pp.2-3.
- Justo Reinoso, I. et al., 2022. Use of 3D mini-vascular networks to protect and deliver bacterial spores in self-healing concretes. Presented at: 8th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Milan, Spain 20-22 June 2022.
- Lark, R. J. et al. 2011. Sustainable self-healing cementitious composites. Presented at: Third International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Bath, UK 27-29 June 2011.
- Maddalena, R. , Taha, H. and Gardner, D. 2019. Enhanced self-healing using conventional supplementary cementitious materials. Presented at: 39th Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2019 Bath, England 9-10 September 2019. 39th Cement and Concrete Science Conference 2019. University of Bath. , pp.43-46.
- Pilegis, M. et al. 2016. Challenges of self-healing concrete scale-up and site trials. Presented at: 9th International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures Berkeley, CA, USA 29 May -1 June 2016.
- Pilegis, M. , Gardner, D. R. and Lark, B. 2012. Manufactured sand for a low carbon era. Presented at: 8th International Conference: Concrete in the Low Carbon Era Dundee, UK 9-11 July 2012.
- Pilegis, M. et al. 2015. Delayed concrete prestressing with shape memory polymer tendons. Presented at: fib Symposium 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark 18-20 May 2015.
- Salman, S. , De Nardi, C. and Gardner, D. 2022. A study of damage healing cycles in vascular networks containing silicate-based healing agents. Presented at: 8th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials Milan, Spain 20-22 June 2022.
- Sweeney, J. et al., 2021. Concrete crack closure and reinforcement using high performance shape memory polymers (SMP). Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff: Cardiff University. , pp.306-310.
- Sweeney, J. et al., 2021. Injection moulding of ‘Spheritet’ component for concrete reinforcement. Presented at: Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020) International Conference Online/Cardiff 20-22 Sept 2021. Published in: Maddalena, R. and Wright-Syed, M. eds. Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020). Cardiff: Cardiff University. , pp.302-305.
- Teall, O. et al. 2016. Self-healing concrete full-scale site trials. Presented at: 11th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, FIB 2016 The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan 29-31 August 2016. Published in: Maekawa, K. , Kasuga, A. and Yamazaki, J. eds. Proceedings of the 11th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, FIB 2016. A.A. Balkema Publishers. , pp.639-646.
Research
Contracts
| Title | People | Sponsor | Value | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mimicrete Vascular Self-healing Solution in Railway Practice - Phase 2 Demonstration |
Gardner D, Jefferson AD, Maddalena R |
Innovate UK / GCRE | 149,600 | 01/01/2024-31/03/2025 |
| The development of self-healing concrete structures and the quantification of their value in the context of enhancing the delivery of a major highway project. |
Gardner D, Maddalena R |
National Highways | 30000 | 01/10/2021-01/10/2024 |
| Resilient Materials For Life (RM4L) |
AD Jefferson, DR Gardner, M Harbottle, IC Mihai, RE Davies, A Paul With Bath, Bradford and Cambridge Universities |
EPSRC | 4,837,625 | 03/04/2017 - 02/04/2022 |
| KTP: A coupled Thermo-Hygro-Mechanical finite element model for concrete structures | Jefferson A, Gardner D | MOMENTA with Finite Element Analysis Ltd | 269644 | 25/03/2010 - 24/03/2013 |
| Capillary flow of autogenic healing agents in discrete cracks in cementitous materials | Gardner D | EPSRC | 100261 | 01/09/2012 - 30/11/2013 |
| Materials for life (M4L): Biometric multi-scale damage immunity for construction materials | Gardner D, Lark R | Costain Ltd | 53039 | 01/10/2013 - 30/09/2016 |
| Sand from Surplus Quarry Material | Gardner D, Lark RJ | KAYASAND | 69709 | 02/08/2010 - 01/08/2012 |
| Self healing materials | Gardner DR | Institute of Civil Engineers | 750 | 27/06/2009 - 27/07/2009 |
| Self-healing geotechnical structures through microbiological action | Harbottle M, Gardner D | BRE | 60000 | 01/10/2013 - 30/09/2016 |
| Structural and Geoenvironmental applications of waste quarry dust (President's scholarship) | Lark R, Gardener D, | Kayasand UK Ltd | 18500 | 01/01/2010 - 30/09/2013 |
| Materials for life (M4L): Biomimetic multi-scale damage immunity for construction materials | Lark R, Gardner D, Jefferson A, Harbottle M | EPSRC | 1672025 | 01/04/2013 - 31/03/2016 |
| Low carbon composites for the construction industry | Lark R, Jefferson AD, Gardner D | Alun Griffiths Contractors | 33000 | 01/10/2010 - 30/09/2013 |
Supervised Students
| Title | Student | Status | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The development of self-healing concrete structures and the quantification of their value in the context of enhancing the delivery of a major highway project. |
MOORE Thomas | Current | PhD |
| A Standardization In Assessing The Efficiency Of Self-Healing Techniques | SALMAN Salah | Current | PhD |
| The development and manufacture of mini-vascular networks to provide biomimetic multi scale damage immunity for construction materials | EVANS Gwilym | Current | PhD |
| The Effect Of Steel Bar Corrosion On The Bond Strength Of Concrete Manufactured With Cement Replacement Materials | ELBUSAEFI Adel Ali | Graduate | PhD |
| An Investigation into Flow Properties of Self-Healing Agents In Damaged Zones of Cementitious Materials | HOFFMAN Andrea | Graduate | MPhil |
| Numerical Investigation into Moisture Transportation in Cementitious Materials for Self-Healing | MA Chuansan | Current | PhD |
| An Investigation of the strength of brickwork walls when subject to flood loading. | HERBERT Daniel | Graduate | PhD |
| STRUCTURAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATION APPLICATIONS OF WASTE QUARRY DUST | PILEGIS Martins | Graduate | PhD |
| CAPILLARY FLOW OF AUTOGENIC AND AUTONOMIC HEALING AGENTS IN DISCRETE CRACKS IN CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS. | JAYAPRAKASH Monica | Current | PhD |
| MATERIALS FOR LIFE - SELF HEALING CONGLOMERATIVE MATERIALS. | TEALL Oliver | Graduate | PhD |
| LOW CARBON COMPOSITES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY | DAVIES Robert Elfed | Graduate | PhD |
| SELF-HEALING IN SOILS. | BOTUSHAROVA Stefani Petrova | Graduate | PhD |
| Investigation of a Novel Self-Healing Cementitious Composite Material System | HAZELWOOD Tobias | Graduate | PhD |
Teaching
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. My current teaching is as follows:
Module Leader EN2320 Structural Analysis and Design Theory (Year 2) - 30 Credits
Module Contributor EN2321 Sustainable Civil Engineering Design and Practice (Year 2 structural design lead) - 30 Credits
Module Contributor EN1217 Surveying Field Trip (Year 1) - 30 Credits
Dissertation Supervisor ENT509 - 60 Credits
Biography
EDUCATION
2005: PhD in Concrete Durability, Cardiff University
2002: MEng CIvil Engineering with a Year in Spain (First Class), University of Wales, Cardiff.
Honours and awards
EPSRC nominated winner of the "You Heard it Here First" event showcasing exciting new fields of endeavour (self-healing concrete) at the British Science Festival (2013)
Best 3rd year postgraduate research student in the Cardiff School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department (2005)
The Institution of Structural Engineers Jubilee Prize for the best 3rd year undergraduate student in Structural Engineering in the Cardiff School of Engineering (2001)
Professional memberships
2013: Chartered Engineer Member of the Insitution of Civil Engineers (CEng, MICE)
2011: Fellow (FHEA) Higher Education Academy
Academic positions
2020-present: Reader in Civil Engineering, Cardiff Univeristy
2014-2020: Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Cardiff Univeristy
2009-2014: Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Cardiff Univeristy
2002-2005: PhD Student and Postgraduate Demonstrator, Cardiff University
Committees and reviewing
- Associate Editor, Structures 2019-2023
- Grant Reviewer and Panel Member, EPSRC
- Associate College Member, EPSRC
