Advances in Computed Tomography for Geomaterials: GeoX 2010

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Self-healing in Concrete by Means of µ-CT

K. Van Tittelboom¹ — D. Van Loo² — N. De Belie¹ — P. Jacobs³

¹Magnel Laboratory for Concrete ResearchDepartment of Structural Engineering, Ghent UniversityTechnologiepark Zwijnaarde 904B-9052 Ghent, [e-mail]

 

²Centre for X-ray TomographyDepartment of Subatomic and Radiation Physics, Ghent UniversityProeftuinstraat 8B-9000 Ghent, [e-mail]

 

³Center for X-ray TomographyDepartment of Geology and Soil Science, Ghent UniversityKrijgslaan 281 S8B-9000 Ghent, [e-mail]

ABSTRACT. It has been estimated that, in Europe, 50% of the annual construction budget is spent on refurbishment and remediation of the existing structures. Therefore, self-healing of concrete structures, which are very sensitive to cracking, would be highly desirable. In this research, encapsulated healing agents were embedded in the concrete matrix in order to obtain self-healing properties. Upon crack appearance, the capsules break and the healing agent is released, causing crack repair. It was found that more than 80% of the original strength could be regained after self-healing. µ-CT was used as non-destructive test method, to visualize the interior of the beams after crack formation. It was shown that after breakage of the capsules, the glue was released from the tubes and sucked into the crack due to the capillary forces.

 

KEYWORDS: concrete, cracks, self-healing, ...