Evaluation of Self-Healing Properties of OPC-Slag Cement Immersed in Seawater Using UPV Measurements

In this study, OPC-slag cement, which partially replaced ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), was immersed in seawater at three temperatures and the self-healing effect was evaluated through ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) measurement. In addition, test specimens without cracks were immersed and cured in the same seawater environment to compare the characteristics of UPV and crack-healing effects. The results of the study showed that increasing the GGBFS content or immersion temperature improved the healing effect up to 30 days after immersion, but there was no significant effect after 30 days of immersion. In a saltwater environment, a thick layer of brucite was deposited near the crack, blocking the inflow of seawater and impeding the formation of additional healing material. According to visual observation, the crack entrance appears to have been covered and healed by the brucite layer. However, the brucite layer in the crack area increases the UPV in the early stages of immersion, which may lead to a misconception that it is self-healed, and there is a possibility of overestimating the self-healing effect.