Self Healing Concrete

Presented by:
Siraj ud din

Contents

Introduction

Why Self Healing?

Self Healing Techniques

Bio Concrete

My research

Introduction

The concrete which have the ability to repair damage caused by mechanical
usage over time.

The process of self healing should occur without human intervention.

The inspiration comes from biological systems that has the ability of healing
after being wounded.

Why Self Healing Concrete

Although being the worlds most used building material, concrete cracks
easily under tensile loads.

Cracks causes corrosion of steel reinforcement.

Entrance of harmful chemicals deteriorate concrete matrix.

These factors affect the durability of reinforced concrete structures.

Manual inspection and repair of structures is difficult and costly process.

Self Healing Techniques

Different Self Healing techniques used are:

1.

Autogenous Healing

2.

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP)

3.

Encapsulated Polymers

4.

Bio Concrete

Autogenous Healing

Presence of unhydrated cement in concrete matrix.

Reaction of crack induced water with unhydrated cement causes further

hydration.

Dissolved CO2 reaction with Ca2+ to form CaCO3 crystals.

These two mechanisms seal cracks.

Effective for small cracks only (micro cracks).

Autogenous Healing

Before and after healing.

Super Absorbent Polymer

SAPs are mainly used for internal curing in high strength concrete.

SAPs absorb 3-20 gram of water per gram of SAP.

This water is released in the matrix as concrete hardens.

The cracking of concrete causes entrance of water which swells the SAP,
hence crack sealing.

Encapsulated Polymers

Self healing can also be achieved using encapsulated capsules.

When crack appears, the capsule breaks and the content is released.

The capillary action causes the chemical agent to flow into the cracks and
thus sealing the crack.

The chemical agents encapsulated depends on the properties required.

For permeability problem polyurethane is used, for strength regain methyl

methacrylate is encapsulated while for aesthetic purposes water repellent
agent can be provided inside capsules.

Bio Concrete

Previous techniques used chemicals that were not eco friendly.

Bio influenced self healing concrete or bio concrete produces mineral

compounds to heal the cracks.

Bio concrete uses bacterial microorganisms as self healing agent.

Bacteria can remain dormant for 200 years.

Bio Concrete

Bacteria along with an organic compound is incorporated in concrete using a

protective carrier compound.

Bacteria remain dormant in the concrete matrix until cracking occurs.

After activation bacteria uses organic compound to produce CaCO 3 which

seals the cracks.

Bio Concrete

Before Healing

After healing

My Research

My research topic is Crack healing in mortar using various bio-influenced self

healing techniques.

Purpose of the study is to compare efficiency of the different carrier

compounds.

The bacteria used in the study is Bacillus Subtilis incorporated along Calcium
lactate as the organic compound.

The carrier used for this study are Iron oxide nanoparticles, Lime stone
powder and sand.

My Research

Conclusions

Self healing concrete is a promising field and its application throughout the
world is increasing.

There is still a need for research to determine the best bacteria and its
optimum concentration.

Further study is required to understand the activation of bacteria.

References

W. Khaliq, M.B. Ehsan, Crack healing in concrete using various bio influenced
self-healing techniques, Construction and Building Materials 102 (2016) 349
357.

Virginie Wiktor, Henk M. Jonkers, Quantification of crack-healing in novel

bacteria-based self-healing concrete, Cement & Concrete Composites 33
(2011) 763770.

H.M. Jonkers, A. Thijssen, G. Muyzer, O. Copuroglu, E. Schlangen, Application

of bacteria as self-healing agent for the development of sustainable concrete,
Ecol. Eng. 36 (2) (2010) 230235.

K. Van Tittelboom, N. De Belie, W. De Muynck, W. Verstraete, Use of bacteria

to repair cracks in concrete, Cem. Concr. Res. 40 (1) (2010) 157166.

Thank You!