Properties and Performance Metrics of Healing Agents in Self-healing Concrete

Self-healing concrete is evolving throughout the years to address concrete’s shortcomings, specifically the development of cracks due to low tensile strength. Encapsulation, a technique first developed for self-healing polymers, has been adapted to self-heal concrete. The success of encapsulation to autonomously self-heal cementitious material is highly influenced by the mechanical properties of the cementitious material, mechanical and geometrical properties of the capsules, as well as various properties of the healing agent. The aim of this study is to develop a design methodology for selecting the healing agents most suited for the application. Accordingly, the healing agent properties will be assessed for their viability and adequacy based on structural compatibility with the cementitious matrix. The healing agent properties of polymers include rheology, chemical kinetics, bond strength, stiffness, and crack-bridging of hardened agent.