Title:
An application oriented state-of-art and research-need perspective on self-healing fibre-reinforced cementitious composites
Author(s):
Ferrara, L.; Asensio, E.C.; Lo Monte, F.; Snoeck, D.; De Belie, N.
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
343
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
80-89
Keywords:
Self-healing; fibre-reinforced cementitious composites; test methods; healable crack width. 80 fib
DOI:
Date:
10/1/2020
Abstract:
The design of building structures and infrastructures is mainly based on four concepts:
safety, serviceability, durability and sustainability. The latter is becoming increasingly
relevant in the field of civil engineering. Reinforced concrete structures are subjected to
conditions that produce cracks which, if not repaired, can lead to a rapid deterioration and
would result in increasing maintenance costs to guarantee the anticipated level of
performance. Therefore, self-healing concrete can be very useful in any type of structure, as it
allows to control and repair cracks as soon as they to occur.
As a matter of fact, the synergy between fibre-reinforced cementitious composites and selfhealing
techniques may result in promising solutions. Fibres improve the self-healing process
due to their capacity to restrict crack widths and enable multiple crack formation. In
particular, cracks smaller than 30-50 μm are able to heal completely. Moreover, in the case of
High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HPFRCC), high content of
cementitious/pozzolanic materials and low water-binder ratios are likely to make the
composites naturally conducive to self-healing.
In this framework the main goal of this paper is twofold.
On the one hand, a state-of-the-art survey on self-healing of fibre-reinforced cementitious
composites will be provided. This will be analysed with the goal of providing a “healable
crack opening based” design concept which could pave the way for the incorporation of
healing concepts into design approaches for FRC and also conventional R/C structures.
On the other hand, the same state-of-the-art will be instrumental in identifying research
needs, which still have to be addressed for the proper use of self-healing fibre-reinforced
cementitious composites in the construction field.