Evaluation of test methods for self-healing concrete with macrocapsules by inter-laboratory testing

Tim Van Mullem, Giovanni Anglani, Hanne Vanoutrive, Girts Bumanis, Chrysoula Litina, Marta Dudek, Arkadiusz Kwiecien, Abir Al-Tabbaa, Diana Bajare, Teresa Stryszewska, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom, Jean Marc Tulliani, Elke Gruyaert, Paola Antonaci and Nele De Belie

Abstract: Self-healing of concrete is a promising way to increase the service life of structures. Innovative research is being performed, yet it is difficult to compare results due to a lack of standardised test methods. In the framework of the COST action SARCOS (CA15202) [1] six different inter- laboratory tests are being executed, in which different test methods are being evaluated for six self-healing approaches. Here, the results of the inter-laboratory test concerning mortar and concrete with macrocapsules filled with a polyurethane healing agent will be discussed. The specimens were manufactured in one laboratory and then shipped to the other five participating laboratories. All six laboratories evaluated two test methods: a water permeability test and a capillary water absorption test. For the water permeability test, mortar specimens were cracked and afterwards their crack width was controlled using an active control technique. Due to the active crack control, the crack width of 90% of the samples deviated by less than 10 μm from the target of 300 μm. This made it more straightforward to compare the permeability test results, which indicated a similar sealing efficiency for several of the laboratories. For the capillary water absorption test, concrete specimens were cracked in a crack-width-controlled three-point bending test setup without active control after unloading. Compared to the water permeability specimens, there was a lot more variation on the crack width of the capillary water absorption specimens. The variability on the crack width and differences in quality of waterproofing resulted in diverging findings in the capillary water absorption test.

Reference of this article:  Tim Van Mullem, Giovanni Anglani, Hanne Vanoutrive, Girts Bumanis, Chrysoula Litina, Marta Dudek, Arkadiusz Kwiecien, Abir Al-Tabbaa, Diana Bajare, Teresa Stryszewska, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom, Jean Marc Tulliani, Elke Gruyaert, Paola Antonaci and Nele De Belie (2021), Evaluation of test methods for self-healing concrete with macrocapsules by inter-laboratory testing, Proceedings Resilient Materials 4 Life 2020 (RM4L2020), Maddalena R, Wright-Syed M, (RM4L Eds), pp. 180-185, Cardiff, UK, 20-22 Sep 2021, ISBN 978-1-3999-0832-0

Affiliations:

Tim Van Mullem, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom and Nele De Belie: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Ghent University, Belgium

Giovanni Anglani, Jean Marc Tulliani and Paola Antonaci: Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Hanne Vanoutrive and Elke Gruyaert: KU Leuven - Ghent Technology Campus, Belgium

Girts Bumanis and Diana Bajare: Riga Technical University, Latvia

Chrysoula Litina and Abir Al-Tabbaa: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Marta Dudek, Arkadiusz Kwiecien and Teresa Stryszewska: Cracow University of Technology, Poland

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The full article can be found here: http://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/145287 on pages 180-185

A review of vascular networks for self-healing applications

Yasmina Shields, Nele De Belie, Anthony Jefferson & Kim Van Tittelboom

Abstract: Abstract Increasing awareness for sustainability has led to the development of smart self-healing materials, which can extend the service life and improve safety without human intervention. Vascular networks are observed in biological systems, such as leaf venation and blood vascular systems, and provide inspiration for self-healing mechanisms in engineered systems. Embedding a vascular network in a host material has the advantage of addressing varying magnitudes of damage and allowing for an indefinite replenishment of the healing agent, which are current limitations of intrinsic and capsule-based self-healing systems. These networks are demonstrated in polymer and composite materials, with fabrication methods including removal of sacrificial elements, electrospinning, and an array of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. Advances in AM allow more complex network configurations to be realized that optimize fluid distribution and healing potential. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the current progress and limitations of the design approaches, fabrication methods, healing mechanisms, and relevant applications of embedded vascular networks. Additionally, significant research gaps and future research directions for vascular self-healing materials are described.

Reference of this article: Shields, Y., De Belie, N., Jefferson, A., & Van Tittelboom, K. (2021). A review of vascular networks for self-healing applications. SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, 30(6)
DOI: 10.1088/1361-665X/abf41d

Keywords: Self-healing, vascular networks, biomimetic

Affiliations:

Yasmina Shields, Nele De Belie & Kim Van Tittelboom: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory for Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Ghent University, Belgium

Anthony Jefferston: Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom

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The full article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665x/abf41d

Addressing the need for standardization of test methods for self-healing concrete: an inter-laboratory study on concrete with macrocapsules

Tim Van Mullem, Giovanni Anglani, Marta Dudek, Hanne Vanoutrive, Girts Bumanis, Chrysoula Litina, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, Abir Al-Tabbaa, Diana Bajare, Teresa Stryszewska, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom, TullianiJean-Marc, Elke Gruyaert, Paola Antonaci & Nele De Belie

Abstract: Development and commercialization of self-healing concrete is hampered due to a lack of standardized test methods. Six inter-laboratory testing programs are being executed by the EU COST action SARCOS, each focusing on test methods for a specific self-healing technique. This paper reports on the comparison of tests for mortar and concrete speci-mens with polyurethane encapsulated in glass macrocapsules. First, the pre-cracking method was analysed: mortar specimens were cracked in a three-point bending test followed by an active crack width control technique to restrain the crack width up to a predefined value, while the concrete specimens were cracked in a three-point bending setup with a displacement-controlled loading system. Microscopic measurements showed that with the application of the active control technique almost all crack widths were within a narrow predefined range. Conversely, for the concrete specimens the variation on the crack width was higher. After pre-cracking, the self-healing effect was characterized via durability tests: the mortar specimens were tested in a water permeability test and the spread of the healing agent on the crack surfaces was determined, while the concrete specimens were subjected to two capillary water absorption tests, executed with a different type of waterproofing applied on the zone around the crack. The quality of the waterproofing was found to be important, as different results were obtained in each absorption test. For the permeability test, 4 out of 6 labs obtained a comparable flow rate for the reference specimens, yet all 6 labs obtained comparable sealing efficiencies, highlighting the potential for further standardization.

Reference of this article: Tim Van Mullem, Giovanni Anglani, Marta Dudek, Hanne Vanoutrive, Girts Bumanis, Chrysoula Litina, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, Abir Al-Tabbaa, Diana Bajare, Teresa Stryszewska, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom, Tulliani Jean-Marc, Elke Gruyaert, PaolaAntonaci & Nele De Belie (2020) Addressing the need for standardization of test methods forself-healing concrete: an inter-laboratory study on concrete with macrocapsules, Science andTechnology of Advanced Materials, 21:1, 661-682,
DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2020.1814117

Keywords: Round robin test, self-healing concrete, standardization, macrocapsules, polyurethane, capillary water absorption, water permeability, active crack width control technique, machine learning

Affiliations:

Tim Van Mullem, Robby Caspeele, Kim Van Tittelboom & Nele De Belie: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory for Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Ghent University, Belgium

Giovanni Anglan, Paola Antonacii: Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy and Responsible Risk Resilience Centre, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy

Marta Dudek, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, Teresa Stryszewska: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Cracow, Poland

Hanne Vanoutrive, Elke Gruyaert: Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Belgium

Girts Bumanis, Diana Bajare: Department of Building Materials and Products, Institute of Materials and Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, LV-Riga, Latvia

Chrysoula Litina, Abir Al-Tabbaa: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Tulliani Jean-Marc: INSTM Research Unit PoliTO-LINCE Laboratory, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy

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The full article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2020.1814117

Self-healing concrete research in the European projects SARCOS and SMARTINCS

Nele De Belie, Kim Van Tittelboom, Mercedes Sánchez Moreno, Liberato Ferrara and Elke Gruyaert

Abstract: Self-healing concrete and preventive repair of structures will slow down the development of cracks and/or arrest the ingress of aggressive agents. When the cracks are closed or a decrease in crack width is achieved, this will be associated with improved durability of the structure. This paper describes the literature review and inter-laboratory comparison carried out within the COST Action CA15202 (SARCOS), as well as the research planned within the recently started International Training Network SMARTINCS.

Reference of this article: De Belie, N., Van Tittelboom, K., Sánchez Moreno, M., Ferrara, L., Gruyaert, E. (2021). Self-healing concrete research in the European projects SARCOS and SMARTINCS. Plenary keynote lecture. In: Sena-Cruz J., Correia L., Azenha M. (eds). Proceedings of the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference (RSCC2020). Volume 3: Service life extension of existing structures. University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal, 9-10 March 2020. RILEM book series Vol. 34, p. 303-307. ISBN 978-3-030-76464-7, ISBN 978-3-030-76465-4 (eBook).

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-76465-4

Keywords: Self-healing Concrete, Repair, Durability, Healing Efficiency 

Affiliations:

Nele De Belie, Kim Van Tittelboom: Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory for Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Ghent University, Belgium

Mercedes Sánchez Moreno: Inorganic Chemistry Department, University of Córdoba, Spain

Liberato Ferrara: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Elke Gruyaert: Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Belgium

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The full article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76465-4

As Riccardo Maddalena and Diane Gardner report, self-healing concrete represents an environmentally-friendly choice, for increasing the service life of a structure, and reducing its overall maintenance and the subsequent usage of concrete.

The full article is published in Construction & civil Engineering issue 167 2019.

You can read it here: https://issuu.com/schofieldpublishingltd/docs/cce_167_cropped/16