Simulation and experimental studies of self-healing capacity in cement mortars incorporating cement-based capsules: Fid-Bau Portal

Simulation and experimental studies of self-healing capacity in cement mortars incorporating cement-based capsules

Papaioannou, S. / Hein, A. / Amenta, M. / Kilikoglou, V. / Gournis, D. / Karatasios, I.

Abstract This paper combines simulation and experimental studies on the healing efficiency of spherical macrocapsules incorporated in cement mortars. A Monte Carlo simulation was applied to investigate the potential of capsules to heal cracks of different widths, depending on their size and concentration. Spherical cement-based macrocapsules were integrated in cement specimens aiming to examine experimentally their distribution in cement mixtures, their impact on mechanical properties and on the healing efficiency of cement. Interpretation of simulation and experimental results exhibited great coincidence, revealing the beneficial effect of the capsules developed. By using a 10% vol. of capsules with diameter of 3 ± 0.3 mm, an adequate amount of healing agent for healing cracks up to c. 500 μm is provided, resulting in a significant decrease of the water permeability after 28 d of healing, while simultaneously contribute in load regain of the cementitious matrix under flexural stress.

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Highlights • Simulation studies indicated the potential for healing cracks wider than 500 μm, using 10% of spherical macrocapsules per specimen volume. • Cement-based macrocapsules demonstrated enhanced bonding with the matrix and efficient triggering upon crack creation and propagation. • The addition of 10% of capsules per specimen volume enhanced the healing efficiency by 90%, according to water permeability results, after 28 d of healing. • Cement-based capsules duplicated load regain under flexure, after 28 d of healing.