Methodologies and Behaviour of Self-Healing Phenomena in Cementitious Composites: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31272/jeasd.2783Keywords:
Crack Formation, Healing Agents, Maintenance, Self-Healing, Concrete DurabilityAbstract
Despite the extended lifespan of concrete structures under ideal circumstances, the service life is significantly reduced due to the cracks created by various loads. Unwanted crack treatments are effective only on the exterior side of the accessible concrete constructions. Therefore, there is a great need to incorporate a self-healing (S-H) mechanism within the concrete matrix. This review discusses a general trend in developing S-H concrete in the construction industry. It consists of two parts: Part I introduces an overview of S-H concrete by describing the basic concepts and available S-H techniques (agents/materials) and analyzing their applications, critiques, and performance in various published studies. Part II critically discusses the conceptual life cycle cost, the maturity level of S-H concrete, the commercial situation, potential applications, field behavior, and challenges to be addressed in future years. The most important outcome of this review is a deeper understanding of the self-healing phenomenon and its potential applications. It is shown that self-healing technologies can give concrete power to heal and prepare itself, which reduces the need for regular maintenance, substantial cost savings, and environmental protection.
References
G. F. Kheder, “Variation in Mechanical Properties of Natural and Recycled Aggregate Concrete as Related to the Strength of Their Binding Mortar,” Materials and Structures, vol. 38, no. 281, pp. 701–709, Jan. 2005, doi: https://doi.org/10.1617/14216.
A. Mohamed, Y. Zhou, E. Bertolesi, M. Liu, F. Liao, and M. Fan, "Factors influencing self-healing mechanisms of cementitious materials: A review," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 393, p. 131550, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131550
M.-T. Nguyen et al., "Toward self-healing concrete infrastructure: a review of experiments and simulations across scales," Chemical Reviews, vol. 123, no. 18, pp. 10838-10876, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00709
M. Amran et al., "Self-healing concrete as a prospective construction material: a review," Materials, vol. 15, no. 9, p. 3214, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093214
[31]L. Zhang, M. Zheng, D. Zhao, and Y. Feng, “A Review of Novel Self-Healing Concrete Technologies,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 89, p. 109331, Jul. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109331.
M. R. Hossain, R. Sultana, M. M. Patwary, N. Khunga, P. Sharma, and S. J. Shaker, "Self-healing concrete for sustainable buildings. A review," Environmental Chemistry Letters, vol. 20, p.1265–1273. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01375-9
P. P. F. Brasileiro, Y. B. Brandão, L. A. Sarubbo, and M. Benachour, "Self-healing concrete: Background, development, and market prospects," Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem, vol. 11, pp. 14709-14725, 2021. https://doi.org/10.33263/BRIAC116.1470914725
S. Luhar, I. Luhar, and F. U. A. Shaikh, "A review on the performance evaluation of autonomous self-healing bacterial concrete: mechanisms, strength, durability, and microstructural properties," Journal of Composites Science, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 23, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6010023
Y. Su, C. Qian, Y. Rui, and J. Feng, "Exploring the coupled mechanism of fibers and bacteria on self-healing concrete from bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 116, p. 103896, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103896
Y. Liu, Y. Zhuge, W. Fan, W. Duan, and L. Wang, "Recycling industrial wastes into self-healing concrete: A review," Environmental Research, vol. 214, p. 113975, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113975
M. Nodehi, T. Ozbakkaloglu, and A. Gholampour, "A systematic review of bacteria-based self-healing concrete: Biomineralization, mechanical, and durability properties," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 49, p. 104038, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104038
Z. Dai, E. Tsangouri, K. Van Tittelboom, X. Zhu, and F. Gilabert, "Understanding fracture mechanisms via validated virtual tests of encapsulation-based self-healing concrete beams," Materials & Design, vol. 213, p. 110299, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110299
V. Cappellesso et al., "A review of the efficiency of self-healing concrete technologies for durable and sustainable concrete under realistic conditions," International Materials Reviews, vol. 68, no. 5, pp. 556-603, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/09506608.2022.21457
F. Althoey et al., "Physical, strength, durability and microstructural analysis of self-healing concrete: A systematic review," Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 18, p. e01730, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01730
K. C. Onyelowe et al., "Multi-Objective Prediction of the Mechanical Properties and Environmental Impact Appraisals of Self-Healing Concrete for Sustainable Structures," Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 15, p. 9573, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159573
N. Hearn, "Self-sealing, autogenous healing, and continued hydration: What is the difference?" Materials and structures, vol. 31, no. 8, pp. 563-567, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481539
E. F. Wagner, "Autogenous healing of cracks in cement-mortar linings for gray-iron and ductile-iron water pipe," Journal (American Water Works Association), pp. 358-360, 1974.
W. A. Slater, F. E. Richart, and G. G. Schofield, Tests of bond resistance between concrete and steel (no. 173). US Government Printing Office, 1920.
Y. M. Malinskii, V. Prokopenko, N. Ivanova, and V. Kargin, "Investigation of self-healing of cracks in polymers. 2. Effect of molecular weight of a polymer and the environment on self-healing of cracks in polyvinyl acetate," Polymer Mechanics, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 382-384, 1970. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00858197
P. Dinarvand and A. Rashno, "Review of the potential application of bacteria in self-healing and the improving properties of concrete/mortar," Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 250-271, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2021.1936268
M. H. Alzard, H. El-Hassan, T. El-Maaddawy, M. Alsalami, F. Abdulrahman, and A. A. Hassan, "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Studies on Self-Healing Concrete Published between 1974 and 2021," Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 18, p. 11646, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811646
H. Y. Atay, “Self‐Healing Composite Materials,” Aerosp. Polym. Mater., pp. 137–154, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119905264.ch6
P. Dinarvand and A. Rashno, “Review of the potential application of bacteria in self-healing and the improving properties of concrete/mortar,” J. Sustain. Cem. Mater., vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 250–271, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2021.1936268
D. Snoeck, P.A. Smetryns, and N. De Belie, "Improved multiple cracking and autogenous healing in cementitious materials using chemically-treated natural fibers," Biosyst. Eng., vol. 139, pp. 87–99, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.08.007
H. Hong, D. Xu, G. A. Wang, and W. Fan, “Understanding the determinants of online review helpfulness: A meta-analytic investigation,” Decis. Support Syst., vol. 102, pp. 1–11, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2017.06.007
M. Sahmaran, G. Yildirim, R. Noori, E. ÖZBAY, and M. Lachemi, “Repeatability and pervasiveness of self-healing in engineered cementitious composites,” ACI Mater. J., vol. 112, no. 4, 2015. https://doi.org/10.14359/51687308
C. Dong, C. C. Loy, K. He, and X. Tang, “Image super-resolution using deep convolutional networks,” IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 295–307, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2015.2439281
E. Gruyaert et al., “Self-healing mortar with pH-sensitive superabsorbent polymers: testing of the sealing efficiency by water flow tests,” Smart Mater. Struct., vol. 25, no. 8, p. 84007, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/25/8/084007
P. Byoungsun and C. C. Young, “Investigating a new method to assess the self-healing performance of hardened cement pastes containing supplementary cementitious materials and crystalline admixtures,” J. Mater. Res. Technol., vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 6058–6073, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.09.080
F. Zhang, L. Zhang, M. Yaseen, and K. Huang, “A review on the self‐healing ability of epoxy polymers,” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., vol. 138, no. 16, p. 50260, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.50260
M. R. Hossain, R. Sultana, M. M. Patwary, N. Khunga, P. Sharma, and S. J. Shaker, “Self-healing concrete for sustainable buildings. A review,” Environ. Chem. Lett., pp. 1–9, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01375-9
O. Speck and T. Speck, “An overview of bioinspired and biomimetic self-repairing materials,” Biomimetics, vol. 4, no. 1, p. 26, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics4010026
A. Gojević, I. Netinger Grubeša, B. Marković, S. Juradin, and A. Crnoja, "Autonomous Self-Healing Methods as a potential technique for the Improvement of Concrete's Durability," Materials, vol. 16, no. 23, p. 7391, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237391
W. Du, R. Lin, and Q. Liu, "Investigation of isophorone diisocyanate microcapsules to improve self-healing properties and sulfate resistance of concrete," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 300, p. 124438, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124438
M. A. H. Abdullah, N. A. H. Abdullah, and M. F. Tompang, "Development and performance of bacterial self-healing concrete-A review," in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2018, vol. 431, no. 6: IOP Publishing, p. 062003. 10.1088/1757-899X/431/6/062003
V. G. Cappellesso, T. Van Mullem, E. Gruyaert, K. Van Tittelboom, and N. De Belie, "Bacteria-based self-healing concrete exposed to frost salt scaling," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 139, p. 105016, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105016
R. A. Chowdhury et al., "Self-healing epoxy composites: preparation, characterization and healing performance," Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 33-43, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2014.10.016
B. F. Yip, M. R. M. Haniffah, E. H. Kasiman, and A. R. Z. Abidin, "Research progress on microbial self-healing concrete," Jornal Technology, vol. 84, no. 3, pp. 25-45, 2022. https://doi.org/10.11113/jurnalteknologi.v84.17895
C. Dry, “Smart multiphase composite materials that repair themselves by a release of liquids that become solids,” in Smart Structures and Materials 1994: Smart Materials, SPIE, 1994, pp. 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.174085
C. Dry, “Matrix cracking repair and filling using active and passive modes for smart timed release of chemicals from fibers into cement matrices,” Smart Mater. Struct., vol. 3, no. 2, p. 118, 1994. 10.1088/0964-1726/3/2/006
K. Van Tittelboom and N. De Belie, “Self-healing in cementitious materials—A review,” Materials (Basel)., vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 2182–2217, 2013. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6062182
B. Sun, H. Wu, W. Song, Z. Li, and J. Yu, "Design methodology and mechanical properties of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) cement-based materials," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 204, pp. 440-449, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.206
G. Hong and S. Choi, "Rapid self-sealing of cracks in cementitious materials incorporating superabsorbent polymers," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 143, pp. 366-375, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.133
D. Snoeck, P. Van den Heede, T. Van Mullem, and N. De Belie, "Water penetration through cracks in self-healing cementitious materials with superabsorbent polymers studied by neutron radiography," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 113, pp. 86-98, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.07.002
M. Kessler, N. Sottos, and S. White, "Self-healing structural composite materials," Composites Part A: applied science and manufacturing, vol. 34, no. 8, pp. 743-753, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-835X(03)00138-6
T. D. P. Thao, T. J. S. Johnson, Q. S. Tong, and P. S. Dai, "Implementation of self-healing in concrete–Proof of concept," The IES Journal Part A: Civil & Structural Engineering, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 116-125, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1080/19373260902843506
A. Ravitheja, T. Reddy, and C. Sashidhar, "Self-healing concrete with crystalline admixture—a review," Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 1143-1154, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/660/1/012057
J. Zhu, D. Shen, B. Jin, and S. Wu, "Theoretical investigation on the formation mechanism of carbonate ion in microbial self-healing concrete: Combined QC calculation and MD simulation," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 342, p. 128000, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128000
R. Garg, R. Garg, and N. O. Eddy, "Microbial induced calcite precipitation for self-healing of concrete: a review," Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 317-330, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2022.2054477
S. Khaudiyal, A. Rawat, S. K. Das, and N. Garg, "Bacterial concrete: A review on self-healing properties in the light of sustainability," Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 60, pp. 136-143, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.12.277
C. Yao, A. Shen, W. Wang, Y. Guo, X. Dai, and G. Ren, "Review on autogenous self-healing technologies and multi-dimension mechanisms for cement concrete," Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 15, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-023-00821-5
S. Shaaban, N. Hammad, A. Elnemr, and I. G. Shaaban, "Efficiency of bacteria-based self-healing mechanism in concrete," in Materials Science Forum, 2023, vol. 1089: Trans Tech Publ, pp. 135-143. https://doi.org/10.4028/p-tc6w54
H. M. Jonkers, A. Thijssen, G. Muyzer, O. Copuroglu, and E. Schlangen, "Application of bacteria as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable concrete," Ecological Engineering, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 230-235, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.036
P. Ghosh, S. Mandal, B. Chattopadhyay, and S. Pal, "Use of microorganism to improve the strength of cement mortar," Cement and concrete research, vol. 35, no. 10, pp. 1980-1983, 2005.
K. Van Tittelboom, N. De Belie, W. De Muynck, and W. Verstraete, "Use of bacteria to repair cracks in concrete," Cement and concrete research, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 157-166, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.08.025
J. Wang, K. Van Tittelboom, N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete, "Use of silica gel or polyurethane immobilized bacteria for self-healing concrete," Construction and building materials, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 532-540, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.06.054
S. S. Bang, J. K. Galinat, and V. Ramakrishnan, "Calcite precipitation induced by polyurethane-immobilized Bacillus pasteurii," Enzyme and microbial technology, vol. 28, no. 4-5, pp. 404-409, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-0229(00)00348-3
J. Wang, H. Soens, W. Verstraete, and N. De Belie, "Self-healing concrete by use of microencapsulated bacterial spores," Cement and concrete research, vol. 56, pp. 139-152, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.009
M. M. Pelletier, R. Brown, A. Shukla, and A. Bose, "Self-healing concrete with a microencapsulated healing agent," Cem. Concr. Res, vol. 8, p. 1055, 2011.
A. Kanellopoulos, T. Qureshi, and A. Al-Tabbaa, "Glass encapsulated minerals for self-healing in cement based composites," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 98, pp. 780-791, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.08.127
H. Huang, G. Ye, C. Leung, and K. Wan, "Application of sodium silicate solution as self-healing agent in cementitious materials," in International RILEM conference on advances in construction materials through science and engineering, 2011: RILEM Publications SARL: Hong Kong, China, pp. 530-536.
J. Gilford III, M. M. Hassan, T. Rupnow, M. Barbato, A. Okeil, and S. Asadi, "Dicyclopentadiene and sodium silicate microencapsulation for self-healing of concrete," Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 886-896, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000089
E. Gruyaert et al., "Self-healing mortar with pH-sensitive superabsorbent polymers: testing of the sealing efficiency by water flow tests," Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, no. 8, p. 084007, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/25/8/084007
T. Qureshi and A. Al-Tabbaa, "The effect of magnesia on the self-healing performance of Portland cement with increased curing time," in 1st International Conference on Ageing of Materials & Structures, 2014, pp. 635-642. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4458.4804
T. Qureshi and A. Al-Tabbaa, "Self-healing of drying shrinkage cracks in cement-based materials incorporating reactive MgO," Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, no. 8, p. 084004, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/25/8/084004
B. Cao and A. Al-Tabbaa, "Reactive MgO-based self-healing slag-cement-bentonite slurry walls," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 131, p. 104565, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104565
T. S. Qureshi, A. Kanellopoulos, and A. Al-Tabbaa, “Encapsulation of expansive powder minerals within a concentric glass capsule system for self-healing concrete,” Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 121, pp. 629–643, 2016.
H. Y. Atay, "Self‐Healing Composite Materials," Aerospace Polymeric Materials, pp. 137-154, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2015.1075686
X. Li et al., "Properties and mechanism of self-healing cement paste containing microcapsule under different curing conditions," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 357, p. 129410, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129410
K. Van Tittelboom and N. De Belie, "Self-healing in cementitious materials—A review," Materials, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 2182-2217, 2013. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6062182
M. Sahmaran, G. Yildirim, R. Noori, E. ÖZBAY, and M. Lachemi, "Repeatability and pervasiveness of self-healing in engineered cementitious composites," ACI Materials Journal, vol. 112, no. 4, 2015. https://doi.org/10.14359/51687308
K. Tomczak, J. Jakubowski, and Ł. Kotwica, "Key Factors Determining the Self-Healing Ability of Cement-Based Composites with Mineral Additives," Materials, vol. 14, no. 15, p. 4211, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154211
H. Huang and G. Ye, "Numerical studies of the effects of water capsules on self-healing efficiency and mechanical properties in cementitious materials," Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 2016, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8271214
S. Sacconi, L. Ierimonti, I. Venanzi, and F. Ubertini, "Life-cycle cost analysis of bridges subjected to fatigue damage," Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-021-00040-3
K. Van Breugel, "Is there a market for self-healing cement-based materials," in Proceedings of the first international conference on self-healing materials, 2007, pp. 1-9.
A. A. Griño Jr, M. K. M. Daly, and J. M. C. Ongpeng, "Bio-influenced self-healing mechanism in concrete and its testing: A review," Applied Sciences, vol. 10, no. 15, p. 5161, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10155161
J. Zhu, D. Shen, J. Xie, B. Jin, and S. Wu, "Transformation mechanism of carbamic acid elimination and hydrolysis reaction in microbial self-healing concrete," Molecular Simulation, vol. 48, no. 8, pp. 719-735, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927022.2022.2049773
J. Wang, J. Dewanckele, V. Cnudde, S. Van Vlierberghe, W. Verstraete, and N. De Belie, "X-ray computed tomography proof of bacterial-based self-healing in concrete," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 53, pp. 289-304, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.07.014
Downloads
Key Dates
Received
Revised
Accepted
Published Online First
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rasha Jasim Al Karawi, Dr.Merool Vakil , Dr. Sina Mousavi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
