Gerlinde Lefever

Gerlinde Lefever graduated in 2016 from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and holds a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. In 2020, she obtained a PhD in Engineering Sciences (joint collaboration between VUB and Universiteit Gent). The topic concerned the inclusion of superabsorbent polymers to cementitious mortars and concrete to mitigate the occurrence of autogenous shrinkage by inducing internal curing. Additionally, pozzolanic nanomaterials were added to maintain the strength of a high-performance cementitious mixture. The performed study was mainly experimental and combined mechanical, physicochemical and non-destructive testing.

Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher, she further investigates the mechanisms of internal curing and self-healing within cementitious materials, both induced by superabsorbent polymers. For this study, mainly elastic wave monitoring techniques are used (acoustic emission and ultrasound). Besides her research-related activities, she is a teaching assistant for the courses of Mechanica van materialen, vloeistoffen en constructies and Technologieproject: bouwkunde.