A Review - Experimental Investigation of a Self-Healing Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials due to its high compressive strength, durability, and versatility; however, its low tensile strength makes it vulnerable to cracking. The formation of micro-cracks and macro-cracks permits the penetration of water, oxygen, and aggressive chemicals, resulting in reinforcement corrosion, reduced structural integrity, increased maintenance costs, and shortened service life. Self-healing concrete has emerged as an innovative and sustainable solution to overcome these limitations by enabling autonomous crack repair without extensive external intervention. This review presents an overview of experimental investigations conducted on self-healing concrete technologies, including biological healing through bacteria, encapsulated healing agents, chemical admixtures, mineral precipitation, and microcapsule-based systems. The study discusses healing mechanisms, crack-closing efficiency, compressive and tensile strength recovery, water permeability reduction, and durability enhancement. Experimental findings reported in various studies indicate that self-healing concrete significantly improves crack sealing capability, restores mechanical performance, and enhances resistance against environmental deterioration. Furthermore, self-healing technology contributes to sustainability by reducing repair frequency, extending structural lifespan, and lowering material consumption and carbon emissions. This review highlights recent developments, advantages, challenges, and future prospects of self-healing concrete for modern infrastructure applications.