Work

Autogenous healing efficiency of calcium (OPC) and magnesium (MgO) binder-based strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of hydrated phase composition [tailored using Portland cement (OPC) and reactive magnesia cement (RMC), water-to-binder (w/b) ratio, and curing age] on the autogenous self-healing behavior of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC). The healing efficiency was characterized by stiffness recovery and crack width. The morphology of the cracked sections and chemical characterization of the matrix and healing products were carried out simultaneously to understand the characteristics of healing products and underlying mechanisms. The stiffness recovery reduced with increased curing age for OPC-based SHCCs, but the effect was insignificant in RMC-based SHCCs. The threshold crack width for complete healing was larger for OPC-based SHCCs than RMC-based SHCCs. A low w/b ratio is beneficial for robust self-healing in both OPC and RMC-based SHCCs due to increased unreacted cement content in the matrix. The possibility of early-age crack healing was higher in all the investigated SHCCs. The RMC-based SHCC with a low w/b ratio, maintained its autogenous healing capacity irrespective of the composite age.

Source: Cement and Concrete Composites

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106071

Authors: Lei Gu, Dhanendra Kumar, Cise Unluer, Paulo J.M. Monteiro, En-Hua Yang

Institutions: Nanyang Technological University, University of Manchester, University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Applications in Construction Materials

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,120

Funder: National Research Foundation Singapore