Advanced Construction Engineering

“Self-Healing Materials”
Advanced Construction Engineering CB 710
Presented by:
Christina Adel 22123766
Supervised by:

Dr. Mohamed Salem

Cairo 2024
 What are the self-Healing materials ?
 Self-healing materials are artificial or synthetically created substances
that have the built-in ability to automatically repair damages to
themselves without any external diagnosis of the problem or human

Self-healing materials have a longer lifespan compared to traditional

materials, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

The best-known self-healing materials have built-in microcapsules (tiny

embedded pockets) filled with a glue-like chemical that can repair
damage. If the material cracks inside, the capsules break open, the repair
material comes out, and the crack seals up.
 The Mechanism of self-healing materials

To create self-healing materials, some special materials (such as fibers

or capsules), which contain some adhesive liquids, are embedded into
the concrete mix. When cracks happen, the fibers or capsules will break
and the liquid contained in them will then heal the crack at once.
 The self-healing mechanism is same to our skin’s natural ability to heal
minor cuts and wounds returning it to its original state, with the advantage
that the process usually lasts between a few minutes to a few hours,
depending on the type of material.

 Recent developments in self-healing materials have resulted in a new

generation of load-carrying smart material systems with the ability to heal
microscale to structural-scale damage. These materials have ranged from
polymer matrix composites to ceramic matrix composites, and metal foams
and others.
The types of self-healing materials
The different types of Self-healing materials have their own self-healing
mechanisms such as:
 Plastics/polymers,
 Paints/coatings,
 Metals/ alloys
 Ceramics/concrete
Therefore, we will study the self-healing concrete as an example for the
self-healing materials
 Self-healing concrete is characterized as the capability of concrete to
fix its cracks on its own autogenously or autonomously. It not only
seals the cracks but also partially or entirely recovers the mechanical
properties of the structural elements. This kind of concrete is also
known as self-repairing concrete.
At its core, self-healing concrete contains specific bacteria that can lie
dormant for decades. When a crack appears and water seeps in, these
bacteria become active.
Upon activation, they consume the nutrients present in the concrete,
resulting in a by-product of limestone (calcium carbonate), which
subsequently fills in and seals the cracks.
 Concrete can autonomously repair its fissures using these micro
organisms, reducing the need for external maintenance and ensuring
the structure's durability.
What are the differences between traditional
concrete and self healing concrete ?

To determine whether this concrete is 'better' than traditional concrete,

you must consider the application's context and the evaluation criteria.
Here are a few points of comparison between self-healing concrete
and traditional one :
 Durability
 Maintenance Costs
What are the advantages of self-healing
concrete?
 Reduction in Repairs Minor damages and concrete cracks heal up by
themselves without loss of compressive strength.

Longer Lifespan The self-mending abilities of this concrete mean that

structures have a more extended, healthier service life. Fewer damages
equate to durability

Cost Saving While the initial for self-healing concrete might pinch the
wallet more than regular concrete, think long-term.

Ecofriendly Traditional concrete production and frequent repairs leave a

carbon footprint that’s not too eco-friendly unlike self healing concrete
What are the disadvantages of self-healing concrete?

 Cost of this concrete is comparatively higher than traditional

concrete; it's about 10-30% more than conventional concrete.
 The germination of bacteria is not suitable in every possible
environment.
 Not Suitable for All Cracks
 Compatibility Issues Introducing new elements, whether bacteria or polymers,
sometimes affects the overall properties of the concrete
 Applications of Self-healing concrete
 Roadways and Pavements
 Bridges
 Residential and Commercial Buildings
 Tunnels
 Airports and Harbors
 Dams and Reservoirs
 References
1-National Institutes of Health (.gov)

2-Self-healing concrete: Fabrication, advancement, and effectiveness for long-term integrity of concrete
infrastructures
Author links open overlay panelMd Montaseer Meraz a, Nusrat Jahan Mim a, Md
Tanjid Mehedi a, Badhon Bhattacharya a, Md. Reduan Aftab a, Md. Mustakim Billah a, Md. Musfike Meraz b

3-Self-healing concrete: A scientometric analysis-based review of the research development and scientific
mapping
Author links open overlay panel Xiaohong He a, Muhammad
Nasir Amin b, Kaffayatullah Khan b, Waqas Ahmad c, Fadi Althoey d, Nikolai Ivanovich Vatin e
4-A study on self-healing concrete
Author links open overlay panel Mohammed Safiuddin a, Shaik Ihtheshaam b, Rizwan Abdul Kareem b, Shalam b

5-Study of Self-Healing Materials and Their Applications

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No: - 2456 –2165
6-Chris Woodford, “ Self healing Materials” www.explainthatstuff.com

7- Sybrand van der Zwaag and Eddy Brinkman,“Applications of Self healing materials”