Toward Self-Healing Concrete Infrastructure: Review of Experiments and Simulations across Scales

Abstract

Cement and concrete are vital materials used to construct durable habitats and infrastructure that withstand natural and human-caused disasters. Still, concrete cracking imposes enormous repair costs on societies, and excessive cement consumption for repairs contributes to climate change. Therefore, the need for more durable cementitious materials, such as those with self-healing capabilities, has become more urgent. In this review, we present the functioning mechanisms of five different strategies for implementing self-healing capability into cement based materials: (1) autogenous self-healing from ordinary portland cement and supplementary cementitious materials and geopolymers in which defects and cracks are repaired through intrinsic carbonation and crystallization; (2) autonomous self-healing by (a) biomineralization wherein bacteria within the cement produce carbonates, silicates, or phosphates to heal damage, (b) polymer–cement composites in which autonomous self-healing occurs both within the polymer and at the polymer–cement interface, and (c) fibers that inhibit crack propagation, thus allowing autogenous healing mechanisms to be more effective. In all cases, we discuss the self-healing agent and synthesize the state of knowledge on the self-healing mechanism(s). In this review article, the state of computational modeling across nano- to macroscales developed based on experimental data is presented for each self-healing approach. We conclude the review by noting that, although autogenous reactions help repair small cracks, the most fruitful opportunities lay within design strategies for additional components that can migrate into cracks and initiate chemistries that retard crack propagation and generate repair of the cement matrix.

Enhancing durability and sustainability in concrete with fibre-reinforced composites

“…The research also involved computational modelling to simulate the behaviour of self-healing mechanisms at a larger scale and predict the long-term performance of structures incorporating this innovative technology. This multidisciplinary approach aimed to provide a holistic understanding of the self-healing mechanisms in FRC, combining experimental observations with theoretical predictions for a comprehensive assessment of its potential applications in the construction industry (Nguyen et al, 2023).…”

Geopolymer Cement in Pavement Applications: Bridging Sustainability and Performance

“…The self-healing ability of geopolymer paste, mortar, and concrete has been a subject of investigation, with studies comparing different composites and varied curing environments to evaluate their autonomous healing properties and multifunctionality [60,[65][66][67]. Moreover, the development of smart-engineered geopolymer composites with self-healing and selfsensing properties highlights the potential for creating advanced materials with enhanced functionalities [68,69]. Life cycle assessments of self-healing geopolymer concrete have highlighted the environmental implications and sustainability aspects of incorporating self-healing mechanisms into construction materials [70].…”

A Bibliography Study of Self-Healing Concrete

“…The geographical distribution of research efforts will be explored, providing insights into countries and regions that have played pivotal roles in advancing self-healing concrete technology [20]. Furthermore, the examination extends to research institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of self-healing concrete technologies [23]. Recognizing the roles of these institutions is crucial for understanding the collaborative networks and knowledge-sharing dynamics that drive innovation in this dynamic field [24].…”