A review of intrinsic self-healing capability of engineered cementitious composites: Recovery of transport and mechanical properties

Abstract

The need for viable materials in sustainable infrastructures is driving the creation of multifunctional strain-hardening cementitious composites that combine brittle cementitious matrices with fibers. Unlike conventional concrete, these materials typically show multiple microcracking behavior with strain-hardening response under tensile loading. Even with tight widths, however, crack formation is a critical problem that reduces the mechanical performance of structures and accelerates the ingress of water and aggressive substances. As part of a class of cement-based composites exhibiting strainhardening response, engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) have a high likelihood of preventing water and harmful chemicals from penetrating by sealing existing cracks and regaining original mechanical and durability properties through self-healing. This promises to contribute to the development of a new generation of highly durable, damage-tolerant structures. ECCs are potentially excellent for intrinsic self-healing due to tight crack widths and high amounts of supplementary cementitious materials in their mixture proportions. This paper details the parameters governing self-healing efficiency and the effect of self-healing on the residual mechanical and transport properties of cementitious composites. Test methods measuring the effect of these parameters on healing efficiency are also described. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.