Biogenic self-healing mortar

Abstract

In concrete structures, it is always a preferable idea to prevent the damage before it happens rather than to repair it afterwards, since it is usually less costly and in some cases the damage detection is impossible. Temperature and humidity fluctuations and/or external loading can trigger micro-cracking on a concrete structure, which in turn can open a pathway for harmful liquids and gasses. Those substances can degrade either the cement matrix or the embedded reinforcement and can cause an extended and irreversible damage. Prevention of damage or instant repair are not always achievable. Therefore, the idea to develop a cementitious material, which can sense the damage and repair it itself in order to mitigate the loss of durability, has gained ground in the last two decades.