Reservoir-Vascular Tubes Network for Self-Healing Concrete: Performance Analysis by Acoustic Emission, Digital Image Correlation and Ultrasound Velocity

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Manuscript ID: applsci-1691675

Manuscript Title: Reservoir-vascular tubes network for self-healing concrete: performance analysis by Acoustic Emission, Digital Image Correlation and Ultrasound Velocity

General comment:

The article subject is very interesting for self-healing concrete. The study was well planned, and the findings were presented and discussed correctly. It adds valuable remarks for the area of self-healing concrete by various means. Therefore, it can be accepted for publication after carrying on minor revisions. Here are some recommendations for improvement.

Specific comments:

1. Abstract: The discussion could be further described, the main findings should be introduced.
2. It is necessary to add a methodology flowchart describing the research in detail.
3. The design of the experimental program lacks explanations, such as the detailed information on the materials…
4. The conclusions could be further combined.
5. The following publications could be helpful to authors for understanding.

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.11.099

10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123501

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122321

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an experimental study that uses a novel linear reservoir-vascular tubes network for self-healing concrete. The idea is tested by investigating the damage healing and mechanical recovery of concrete beams.

 

It is a compact, well-planned, and performed experimental study with clear objectives and strategy. Valuable new test data were obtained. The paper is well structured and clearly written in good English. The conclusions are sound. 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

This paper proposed a novel healing system in concrete beams and monitored the cracking response by advanced AE, DIC and UPV techniques. The topic of this paper is very interesting and the paper is properly organized. However, before its publication, some major revisions are needed.

1. The applications of AE, DIC and UPV techniques on damage monitoring of concrete should be reviewed and discussed in the Introduction section because these techniques are key testing methods in your study.
2. The authors concluded that there was a transition of the damage from brittle to pseudo-ductile for a healed crack based on the results of DIC and AE. Did this conclusion apply to all three kinds of concrete in your study? Please discuss.
3. In Figure 9, the authors used the AE hit to characterize the cracking behavior of concrete before and after healing. However, it has been recommended that the combined use of multiple AE parameters such as count, energy, amplitude, entropy, RA value and also frequency domain parameters needs to be considered to accurately identify the point of damage in material. As a research paper, the only use of AE hit was not enough to give a full understanding of damage progression. Therefore, more analyses of the performance of other AE parameters should be provided. Refer to the following links: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.106860 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2020.107083

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

After revision, this paper is worth publication.