An Investigation of Suitable Healing Agents for Vascular-Based Self-Healing in Cementitious Materials

Yasmina Shields, Tim Van Mullem, Nele De Belie and Kim Van Tittelboom
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Yasmina Shields: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
Tim Van Mullem: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
Nele De Belie: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
Kim Van Tittelboom: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Self-healing cementitious materials can extend the service life of structures, improve safety during repair activities and reduce costs with minimal human intervention. Recent advances in self-healing research have shown promise for capsule-based and intrinsic healing systems. However, limited information is available regarding vascular-based self-healing mechanisms. The aim of this work is to compare different commercially available healing agents regarding their suitability in a self-healing vascular network system by examining a regain in durability and mechanical properties. The healing agents investigated include sodium silicate, two polyurethanes, two water repellent agents and an epoxy resin. Sealing efficiencies above 100% were achieved for most of the healing agents, and both polyurethanes and the epoxy resin showed high regain in strength. The results obtained from this study provide a framework for selecting a healing agent given a specific application, as a healing agent’s rheology and curing properties can affect the optimal geometry and design of a vascular network.

Keywords: vascular networks; healing agents; self-healing concrete; durability; mechanical recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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