Self-Healing Concretes
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Manufacturing Processes and Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 8554
Special Issue Editor
Interests: ceramics; concrete; composites; nanomaterials; microstructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Concrete is the most widely used construction material. Many excellent functional properties, such as high compressive strength, common availability, good durability, compatibility with reinforcement bars, low price, rather simple preparation, and the ability to be cast in desired shapes and sizes, make concrete the material of choice for many applications. On the other hand, concrete also has a high tendency to form cracks, which are one of the main cause of concrete deterioration and decrease in durability.
The most efficient ways to treat cracks in concrete are the so-called active treatments. Active treatment techniques, which are also known as self-healing techniques, can be implemented through three main strategies: (i) autogenous healing; (ii) encapsulation of polymeric material; (iii) microbial production of minerals (i.e., calcium carbonate).
In autogenous healing, which is considered as a natural repair process, concrete cracks are filled through the hydration of un-hydrated cement particles or the carbonation of dissolved calcium hydroxide in the presence of moisture or water. Additionally, as a mechanism of self-healing in concrete one must also consider the so-called alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR) in concretes with dolomite aggregate, which also results in calcium carbonate precipitation.
The encapsulation of polymeric material can contribute to filling cracks by the conversion of healing agent to foam in the presence of moisture. Although releasing chemicals from incorporated hollow fibers inside concrete can fill the cracks, polymeric materials do not behave in the same way as concrete compositions, and in some extreme conditions even cause extension of the existing cracks.
Biological healing processes are based on the production of minerals by living organisms through biomineralization, which is a widespread phenomenon in nature. In this process, biominerals are formed through the reaction of metabolic products generated by microorganisms with the surrounding environment. Among various pathways of minerals production through biomineralization such as carbonates, sulfides, silicates, and phosphates, the precipitation of calcium carbonate has drawn interest due to the efficient bonding capacity and compatibility with concrete compositions.
In this Special Issue, modern trends in self-healing concretes preparation, including the healing fundamentals and mechanisms as well as the properties of healed concrete, are highlighted and discussed.
It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.
Assoc. Prof. Marjan Marinšek
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- concrete
- self-healing
- crack filling
- healing mechanisms
- microstructure
- mechanical properties
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